§ 24. Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he will give an estimate of the effect upon manufacturing industry of the rail strike.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI am not aware of any material adverse effects of the rail strike on manufacturing industry so far. Rail transport now accounts for only a small proportion of total freight movements, although for some commodities, coal and coke, oil, iron and steel, minerals, chemicals and fertilizers, the proportion is more significant. A prolonged rail strike would do some harm to industry, though firms in the past displayed ingenuity in keeping going during strikes.