HC Deb 14 June 1920 vol 130 cc859-60
11 Mr. J. GUEST

asked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware that the Dearne Valley Railway Act, 1897, was passed through Parliament, as stated in the Act, on the grounds that it would be of public and local advantage, and that the various powers embodied in the Act were granted on the definite undertaking of the company to provide an efficient and suitable passenger service; if a motor train service, without any shelter while waiting for such service, is regarded by his Department as carrying out the various Clauses as to passenger traffic as set forth in the Act of 1897;

(2) if he is aware that the Dearne Valley Railway Act, 1897, makes provision (in Section 12, Sub-section 7) for the construction and maintenance of a passenger and goods station in the parish of Barnbrough with suitable public telegraphic facilities thereto and if he will give instructions for the carrying into effect of this Section at an early date?

Sir E. GEDDES

It is the case that the preamble to the Dearne Valley Railway Act, 1897, states, as is commonly the case in railway Acts, that the construction of the railways and other works authorised by the Act would be of public and local advantage, but the Act does not contain any definite undertaking by the company to provide an efficient and a suitable passenger service, nor can I express an opinion on the legal point whether the service provided complies with the requirements of the Act. The requirement to provide a passenger and goods station in the parish of Barnbrough occurs in a Section inserted in the Act for the protection of certain specified persons, and the provisions of this Section can be varied by agreement with the parties concerned. I will, however, make further inquiries, but the hon. Member will appreciate that the present time is not favourable for the provision of new accommodation, expenditure of capital, or increase of working expenses.

Mr. GUEST

Is it not possible that something can be done, without a very large amount of public expenditure, to comply with the needs of the people of this district?

Sir E. GEDDES

That may be so, and I am making further inquiries.