§ Mr. WALTER REAasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the North-Eastern Railway Company has withdrawn over 100 trains from its time-table as existing before the coal strike, in addition to curtailing facilities for travelling in other respects; and what steps, if any, he is able to take to minimise the loss and inconvenience to the public thus caused?
§ Mr. J. M. ROBERTSONI have received no previous complaints in this matter, but I have forwarded a copy of my hon. Friend's question to the railway company for their observations, and I will communicate with him on receipt of their reply. I may mention that the Board of Trade have already been in communication with the company on this subject, and it was understood that the ordinary passenger service, subject to a few exceptions, was to be resumed as from the 1st May, and that the goods service was gradually being brought back to the normal.
§ Mr. GEORGE TERRELLIs it not to the public advantage that railways should be encouraged to economise by withdrawing unnecessary trains?
§ Mr. ROBERTSONThat is a question on which I could not very well express an opinion at the moment.