§ Mr. BARNESasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that under a scheme for the regulation of coal deliveries to London the London and North Eastern Railway Company requires traders to submit to a railway regulator full particulars of all their coal orders, including quality, and claims the right to decide whether or not the trader is able to accept delivery; and whether he will take steps to prevent such action, as it will result in congestion and shortage of supplies of coal in London when they are most needed?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am aware that as a result of prolonged discussions between the London and North Eastern Railway and the coal trade, a scheme has been drawn up for regulating coal traffic to London and the South, and this scheme has, with, as I understand, general assent, now been brought into operation. The scheme aims at minimising so far as possible the difficulties to which the hon. Member refers, and I am hopeful that if all the parties combine in doing their best to work it, it will be found during the coming winter to have that result.