§ Mr. MacVEAGHasked whether the London and North Western Railway Company receive a direct subsidy of £5,000 a year and an indirect subsidy of another £6,000 a year by the permission to use Kingstown Harbour, at practically nominal dues, for 14 accelerating the mail service to Ireland; whether the mail service is in fact now slower than it was before the acceleration; whether the coal thus saved on each journey amounts to only three-quarters of a ton; whether the Post Office will have to pay for the special trains which have to be run to the South of Ireland owing to the late arrival of the mails; whether it would be more economical to pay for the three-quarters of a ton of coal than to pay for special trains at the other side, irrespective of the large subsidy paid to the London and North-Western Railway Company and of the inconvenience to which passengers and traders are subjected; and whether it is intended to call upon the company to provide the service for which it is subsidised or to exact penalties and, if so, what penalties for breach of contract?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELUnder a new contract, the subsidy for this service is not separately distinguished. All mail trains on the London and North-Western Railway are now running at speeds not exceeding forty-five miles an hour. I have no information as to the amount of coal saved. Additional special trains are not now being run to the South of Inland. The question whether any, and, if so, what, deduction can properly be made from the company's remuneration will be considered when the company's claim for payment is received.
§ Mr. BRADYIs it not a fact that the mail boat and all the Irish railway companies are running punctually at present; and why cannot the London and North-Western Railway Company do the same?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI must ask for notice of that question.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether this is not a matter which should receive the immediate attention of the Department, seeing the whole of the trade of Ireland is being disorganised in order that the London and North-Western Railway Company may save three-quarters of a ton of coal, per day?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI very much question the hon. Member's three-quarters of a ton. I understand the mail service in Ireland has not yet been very seriously affected.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHAs I gave the right hon. Gentleman notice of this question, in which I stated that three-quarters of a 15 ton of coal only was being saved, will he tell me on what ground he doubts the statement, because it is absolutely true?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELAs I mentioned, I have no official information as to the amount of coal saved, but the officers of my Department say the estimate of three-quarters of a ton is in all probability below the mark.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWill the right hon. Gentleman take this matter up, and give it his personal attention immediately?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI think it lies more in the province of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade as to the amount of coal saved by the running of the trains?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHSurely it is not the Board of Trade which is paying this heavy subsidy to the London and North-Western Company for running their trains punctually?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIt is a question of the coal saved.
§ Mr. KINGCould not the right hon. Gentleman take the matter up in unison with the President of the Board of Trade, so that they could bring their united efforts to bear upon the question?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHasked the total amount annually drawn by the London and North-Western Railway Company from all public sources for accelerating the service between London and Holyhead and for other purposes; what extra or improved service is being given in return; and what is the estimated annual value of the concession made to the railway company in respect of harbour dues at Kingstown?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe annual payment for the conveyance of mails made to the London and North-Western Railway Company is an inclusive one with the exception of the American mails, which are paid for individually at special rates. No portion of the annual payment is earmarked for any particular service. I am not in possession of the information for which the hon. Member asks as regards the Kingstown Harbour dues.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is a fact that under the provisions of the contracts entered into with this company they are receiving £11,000 a year for running their train service punctually, and why they 16 are getting that payment if they have ceased to run them punctually?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI have told the hon. Member a question may arise subsequently as to deductions from the remuneration of the London and North-Western Railway Company if the trains are not maintained up to their proper standard.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHasked whether any statistics are available showing how much coal per mile is used by a large engine on the London and North-Western Railway; and how much on the express service and on the present mail service, respectively, between London and Holy-head?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. J. M. Robertson)The Board of Trade have no statistics bearing on this point.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHCan the Board of Trade obtain any information?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONI think the hon. Gentleman could write to the company and get the information. I will see what the Board of Trade can do further in the matter.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHAre these statistics not already available at the Board of Trade, and cannot the hon. Gentleman tell us the particulars asked for in this question from the records at the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONApparently not.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHWill the hon. Gentleman ascertain from the London and North-Western Railway Company whether it is a fact that they are running their Irish mail service slow, and are only saving three-quarters of a ton of coal per day?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONI will make inquiry.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYIs the Board of Trade making any inquiry whether the economies now being effected by the railway companies have due regard to the amount of coal consumed?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONI know of no such inquiry.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYDoes not the Board consider it its duty to protect the public in this matter?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONI will lay the matter before the Board.