§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the handicap which coalowners in Plymouth are suffering for want of railway empties to take coal; that owing to the shortage steamers have been on demurrage and coal has had to be taken into store and afterwards loaded into wagons, resulting in double cost to merchants; and whether, seeing that Devon-port and Plymouth depend largely upon shipping for their prosperity and employment, and if supplies of wagons are cut off shipments of coal will have to be obtained from the Midlands at consequent higher cost to the public and unnecessary congestion on the railways, he will see what can be done to remove this grievance?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo representations in regard to this matter have reached me during the last few months, but I will bring the hon. Member's question to the notice of the company. As, however, the hon. Member knows, the company are not required to provide wagons for coal traffic.