CAPTAIN COOTEasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the supply of railway trucks for the transportation of road metal from the pits at wymondham, Norfolk, has been completely withdrawn, with the result that the pits will have to close down, contracts with county councils be broken, many quarry-men thrown out of employment, and roads fall into disrepair; and whether he will take immediate steps to have a supply of wagons forwarded to the pits in question?
§ Sir E. GEDDESWagons for road metal are provided by the quarry owners, the railway company being under no obligation to provide them. The Great Eastern Railway Company, owing to the general shortage of wagons and the heavy traffic in food stuffs, regret that at present they are unable to augment the supply which the quarry owners have at their disposal.