Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any railway company has obtained his sanction to any reduction of services of workmen's trains during the coal strike; and, if so, will he inquire whether any of these companies have sold coal during that period?
Mr. ROBERTSONAny reductions in the service of workmen's trains which the railway companies may have made in the present circumstances do not require the sanction of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. LAMBMay I ask will the hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure at the conclusion of the strike that the services, both as to goods and passengers, will be reinstated?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member has stated in his reply that the sanction of the Board is not necessary.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTMay I ask if any railway company has obtained the sanction of the Board of Trade for a reduction of workmen's services?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe answer given is that under the present circumstances they did not require sanction, and therefore they would not get it.