HC Deb 18 February 1896 vol 37 cc556-7
MR. P. J. POWER (Waterford E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade, what steps have been taken since August last, when he said the matter was under consideration, to provide accommodation for third-class passengers on the Irish mail service between Euston and Ireland via Holyhead and Kingstown?

MR. RITCHIE

said, the Board of Trade communicated both with the Postmaster General and the Railway Company on this subject. I am informed that the subject has received the careful consideration of the London and North Western Railway Company. Owing to the conditions, however, on which these trains are run in pursuance of the contract with the Postmaster General, their varying length and weight from time to time to meet the exigencies of the Mail Services, and the circumstances generally affecting the facilities afforded to third class passengers to and from Ireland, the company regret that they cannot see their way to add extra vehicles to the trains.

MR. POWER

inquired whether the right hon. Gentleman was not aware that every other mail train leaving Euston carried third class passengers?

MR. RITCHIE

believed that was the fact, but having regard to the answers received from the London and North Western Railway Company, it was impossible for the Board of Trade to take upon themselves the responsibility, even if they had the power, of ordering the London and North Western Company to add to the weight of their trains.

MR. W. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)

asked, whether the right hon. gentleman was not aware that at the time of the negotiations respecting the mail contract this very suggestion was made?

MR. RITCHIE

was aware of the fact. He believed an endeavour was made to bring about the result which the Committee desired, but the negotiations fell through in consequence of the reasons urged by the London, and North Western Railway Company, of which he had given a summary. Both the Postmaster General and the Board of Trade had endeavoured to bring about the result desired by the Committee, but had hitherto failed.

MR. FIELD

asked if the right hon. Gentleman would attempt to bring the London and North Western Company into line with all the other companies in this matter?

MR. RITCHIE

said, it was only recently they had been in communication with the Company, and he was not prepared to say that at present they could urge the matter any further than they had done.