asked the Minister of Transport how long has the census of railway wagons been in progress; whether it is now completed; and, if so, whether he can state the number of railway-owned and private wagons of different classes?

In connection with a recent census of privately owned railway wagons, returns have been received in respect of some 638,000 wagons, which were registered to run on the public railways, at the 31st January, 1928. Of these about 578,000 are coal or coke wagons. Information in regard to the number and description of railway-owned wagons will be found in the Annual Railway Returns.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has recently had under review the question of the 700,000 privately-owned trucks on the railways and the waste and congestion caused by this system; and whether he has considered any plan whereby the railway companies could acquire these trucks?

The whole question of the more economic user of mineral wagons on the railways falls within the terms of reference of the Standing Committee on Mineral Transport who have the subject actively under consideration.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that the trouble here is financial, and that, unless the railway companies are given some financial assistance, they will not be able to get rid of these wasteful methods; and are the Government considering this?

I would rather take the views of the Committee than those of the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman know that they are the views of the Committee to which I have given vent?

How does the hon. and gallant Gentleman know what are the views of the Committee when they have not reported?

Commander WILLIAMS:

Has my right hon. and gallant Friend not noticed that there is something in yesterday's proceedings which will enable the railway companies to have money for this kind of thing?

A drop in the bucket.

Yes, I noticed it with pleasure.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not realise that but for these 700,000 privately-owned trucks the congestion on the railways would be much greater than it is at present?

I must await the Report of the Committee.