§ 76. Mr. MAURICE HEALYasked the Postmaster-General whether, before giving 1134 his consent to the delay of the day mail to Cork by 35 minutes, he in any way consulted any of the locay public bodies representing commercial interests in the localities concerned or acted merely on the statement of the railway company; whether he has taken any steps to induce the railway company to put an end to the entirely unnecessary delay which takes place every morning at Kingsbridge Station; if he can state the distance between Westland Row and Kingsbridge Stations for which 31 minutes is allowed, and when the train is now timed to arrive at Kingsbridge Station and when to leave it; and whether he will require from the railway company periodically, and supply on request, a return of the daily delay of the train at Kingsbridge Station?
Mr. PEASEAs I explained to the hon. Member in reply to his previous question, the time table of the train to Cork was merely adapted to its actual working under war conditions. Local public bodies were not consulted. The distance between Westland Row Station and Kingsbridge Station is 6½ miles. The train from the pier is due at Kingsbridge at 6.47 a.m. and the train for Cork is timed to leave at 7.35 a.m. This interval is regarded as necessary to allow for railway work and as a reasonable margin in case of delay to the Irish mail train or the packet. Particulars of the actual working of the mail trains are recorded daily in the Post Office, and I shall be happy to give the hon. Member any information which he requires.
§ Mr. HEALYDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that 31 minutes is a reasonable time for an express train to take for 6 miles, and will he consider trying a donkey and cart?
Mr. PEASEThere is certain shunting at Kingsbridge Station, and trains also incur delay by having to go to Amiens Street.
§ Mr. HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman seek information on this subject from others besides the railway company, who are evidently humbugging him?