HC Deb 29 November 1920 vol 135 cc918-20
59. Mr. GILBERT

asked the Minister of Transport the number of excursion trains that were run by the various rail way companies during the months of August and September; and the total number of passengers carried by such trains in each of the same months?

Colonel MILDMAY

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask whether the inability to run excursion trains has not been due largely to labour difficulties, which have greatly hampered the provision of locomotive power?

Sir E. GEDDES

I do not think there is much shortage of locomotives to-day. The number of special excursion trains run during August was 424, and the total number of passengers conveyed by these trains was 235,408. In addition, 6,929 excursion passengers were conveyed toy ordinary trains. In September, the number of special trains run was 808, but complete particulars of the number of passengers convoyed are not available. Particulars of the total number of excursion passenger journeys and the receipts there from are now included in the published four-weekly Railway Statistics

Viscount CURZON

Do the figures the right hon. Gentleman has just given include railway trains to race meetings?

Sir E. GEDDES

These were excursion trains. Race trains would not be run at excursion fares, so far as I am advised.

60. Mr. GILBERT

asked the Minister of Transport the names of the railway companies that have not run any excursion trains during this year; and if his Department are pressing such companies to favourably consider and grant to the travelling public next year the same excursion facilities as were given by several companies since August last?

Sir E. GEDDES

The names of the principal railway companies which were unable to run excursion trains during the past summer season were:

  • Great Western,
  • London & North Western,
  • London & South Western,
  • Glasgow & South Western,
  • North British.
I will certainly ask the railway companies to consider favourably the provision of excursion trains during next year, and I will take the matter up with them in good time.

Dr. MURRAY

Will the right hon. Gentleman press the same point upon the steamship companies?

Sir E. GEDDES

The Ministry of Transport has nothing to do with steamship companies.

Dr. MURRAY

What a shame!