§ 68. Mr. Lunnasked the Minister of Transport whether he will take up with the companies concerned the necessity for some improvement, in the future, in excursion services, in view of the unsatisfactory nature of many of these services, as instanced by the fact that a London Midland and Scottish Railway excursion left Leeds for Blackpool on Saturday last at 7 a.m. and did not reach its destination, a distance of about 70 miles, until 11.55 a.m., and that it left Blackpool on the return journey at 9.15 p.m. and did not arrive in Leeds until 2.50 a.m., that there were no corridor coaches on the train; and that there has been no alteration in these conditions for excursionists for many years?
§ Mr. BurginI have no jurisdiction in this matter. I am, however, in communication with the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company about the excursion to which the hon. Member refers and will let him know the result.
§ Mr. LunnIn view of the fact that there has been much publicity about development in speed and comfort on the main lines, is it not time that something was done with the cross-country services, which have not improved in either speed or comfort for the last 50 years?
§ Mr. BurginI am not quarrelling with the lion. Member's general conclusion, but his question relates to a specific excursion, and on that I wish to make inquiries.