§ 96. Mr. WARDLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the railway stations and agencies that are now being closed will be reopened after the War, and, if not, whether reasonable provision will be made for any displaced officials; whether he is aware that since the railways were brought under State control many stationmasters, who have to work on Sundays, and in many instances are not paid for such work, have been required to perform additional duties, and in some cases to exercise supervision over two or more stations instead of one, and that their salaries have not been increased proportionately; and whether, in view of the changes now-being made and the heavier responsibilities placed upon the officials in charge of railway depots and stations, he will authorise the railway companies to improve the terms Upon which such officials have hitherto been employed, also of the men in grades from which agents and stationmasters are usually drawn, whose destroyed through the revision of work- 1113 chances of promotion have been largely ing arrangements carried out under the control of the Railway Executive Committee?
Mr. ROBERTSI am unable to forecast the action which will be taken after the War in regard to railway stations which have been closed, but I am sure that the question of reasonable provision being made for displaced officials will be considered. As regards the latter part of the question, cases of injustice under the circumstances referred to have not been brought to my notice, but if they are I shall be happy to look into them.
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEWill the hon. Gentleman take care that the stations are not dismantled without the authority of the Board of Trade, because this would make it very difficult later for these stations to be reopened?
§ Mr. GOLDSTONEI will give a case.