HC Deb 05 April 1909 vol 3 cc712-3
Mr. MOONEY

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that the London and North-Western Railway Company have discontinued running a separate first-class dining car on the down day mail train from Holyhead; and, in view of the fact that this is a violation of the undertaking given by this railway company that there would be no reduction of the facilities heretofore obtainable on this train, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

Mr. TENNANT

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I have no knowledge of the undertaking referred to, but I have communicated with the railway company on the subject, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

Mr. MOONEY

The undertaking I refer to was mentioned in this House by the Postmaster-General when the change was made, and the right hon. Gentleman's statement was that he would take steps to see that no facilities which were given heretofore would be taken away. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the matter comes within his Department to see that the promise is kept up?

Mr. BUXTON

I was told that this question would be taken by the Board of Trade, and I have not looked into it. If the hon. Member will repeat it I will look into it and answer it. The facilities I spoke of were the times of arrival and departure, and so on. I will look into the point.

Mr. MOONEY

I will put it down again to-morrow, but may I ask whether in view of the large sums to be paid to the company he will take care to see that this service shall not be starved by the railway company in any case?

Mr. BUXTON

Certainly, if starvation comes in. The facilities I had in my mind were questions of the time of departure and arrival. I did not notice the question as I understood it was to be taken by the Board of Trade