HC Deb 10 July 1919 vol 117 cc1995-7
38. Mr. ATKEY

asked the president of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the alteration in the arrangements of the Nottingham Midland Station with a view to restricting the use of the plat- forms to ticket-holders necessitates the closing of the entrance to that station from Station Street; that this entrance was specially designed to meet the convenience of thousands of passengers per day; that its continued closure is a source of irritation and annoyance to the business community for which it especially caters; that a petition has been very largely signed for its reopening; and that war conditions alone justified the refusal of the railway company to reopen this entrance; and with he call the attention of the railway company concerned to this grievance?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I fear I cannot add to the reply given on the 1st July to a. question on this subject put by my hon. Friend.

Mr. ATKEY

When will the hon. Gentleman be able to give some reply to the question?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I cannot give any further reply, as the company do not see their way to reopen the question.

Mr. ATKEY

What other influence can be brought to bear?

39. The HON. MEMBER further

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the prevailing railway conditions are seriously prejudicing the businesses of the traders of Nottingham, and that on Friday, 27th June, the firm of Gerard Brothers had goods ready for dispatch to Thirsk, North Shields. Accrington, Clayton-le-Wood, Bournemouth, Gravesend, Cardiff, Chase Town, Newport (Mon.), Moseley, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Blackpool, White Cross Street, and Glasgow, but the railway companies would not accept the traffic; and will he see to it that this state of things is altered forthwith?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I will inquire into the specific complaint to which my hon. Friend refers. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer him to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave to a somewhat similar question which he asked yesterday.

Lieut.-Colonel Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

Is the hon. Member aware that the inability of the Midland Railway to handle the traffic is due to their unwillingness to engage an adequate staff?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am not aware of that.

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

Will you make inquiries?