§ Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Postmaster-General whether he will make inquiries to ascertain whether the London and North-Western Railway Company have on reserve a surplus supply of some thousands of tons of coal, which is now being disposed of at a profit; and whether he will take steps to see that the company are compelled to carry out all their Government contracts?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)I have no information on the subject of the company's reserve of coal. If the hon. Member is in possession of any facts which have a bearing on the effective fulfilment of Post Office contracts, and will place them at my disposal, I shall be glad to consider the matter.
§ Mr. MOONEYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that no later than yesterday the mail trains in Ireland from Dublin were an hour and a half 415 late in leaving owing to the fact that the London and North-Western Railway Company have reduced the speed of the mail service trains in this country to forty-five miles an hour? Is that not breaking their contract?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI know there has been some dislocation of the services, not only on that line, but on some other lines, owing to the regrettable coal strike.
§ Mr. MOONEYMay I ask if it is not in the contract that the London and North-Western Railway Company must run their trains at a certain speed—in any case not less than forty-five miles an hour?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI should like to have notice of that question. As to the actual terms of the contract, if there are any penalties which can be enforced Against the company, that matter will have to be considered when the company's claim for remuneration comes up for consideration.