Mr. T. THOMSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the shortage of railway trucks which is hampering trade and industry in the Middlesbrough district and which, if not remedied, will result in the throwing out of employment of a number of men; and what steps he is taking to remedy this serious shortage?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe question of the supply of wagons to this district is receiving the special attention of the Railway Executive Committee, and steps have been taken by the North-Eastern Railway Company to meet the demands as far as practicable. Every effort is being made to cope with the situation, but I am informed that in consequence of traders not emptying wagons as quickly as they might do the railway companies are not getting the same effective user out of them as they did formerly.