§ Brigadier-General SURTEES asked the Minister of Transport what amount of tonnage was transported over the canals and internal waterways of this country in 1914 and 1919; whether there has been a decrease in such trade during the past six months; what special steps the Ministry of Transport have taken, and still propose to take, to develop such trade to its greatest capacity; and what is the cost per ton per mile of such inland water transit compared with railways and motor lorries?
§ Mr. NEAL: No figures are available for the year 1914 or in respect of non-controlled waterways. The total tonnage conveyed on controlled canals and other inland waterways in 1913 and 1919 was 1696W 34,057,525 tons and 22,409,701 tons respectively. In the current year to 25th April, the total tonnage on controlled waterways amounted to 7,469,584 tons, which represents a decrease of 30 per cent. on the 1913 tonnage, and an increase of 6 per cent. on the 1919 tonnage for the same period. It is not possible to institute a comparison between the costs per ton mile for different periods, as no ton mile statistics have been compiled in regard to canals and inland waterways. Since the Government assumed control, the controlled canal companies have been guaranteed their net receipts in a standard pre-control year in order to enable them to maintain their undertakings under war conditions. As regards future development, I have referred the whole matter to a Committee presided over by the hon. Member for Ladywood (Mr. N. Chamberlain).