Brigadier-General Brownasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the present delay, owing to the electrification of the Southern Railway, in delivery of horse boxes and cattle trucks to the area round Three Bridges from the Midlands, which is causing some concern to farmers; that difficulties, owing to the live-rail electric system, in shunting operations have recently occurred at Portsmouth and other places; and whether he will have these matters examined from the defence point of view as well as from that of trade and business?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaAs regards the first part of the question, the Southern Railway Company inform me that the facilities available to-day generally compare favourably with those prior to electrification and that special working is arranged in cases where a reasonable service cannot be given. They can find no justification for the allegation of delay in shunting operations in the electrified area, but I will of course examine any specific difficulties that may be put before me.