HC Deb 03 December 1941 vol 376 cc1130-2
63. Major Lyons

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether, in view of the additional rail passenger traffic of last August, any different appeal for limitation is to be made in connection with the forthcoming Christmas and New Year period; what steps are proposed to enforce it; and whether any special or additional trains will be put into operation by the railway companies during this time?

Colonel Llewellin

We do not intend merely to appeal to people to refrain from travelling long distances by rail this Christmas; we warn them of the limited services which will be available and that in no circumstances will those services be increased. We cannot provide additional locomotives for passenger trains, and therefore on no day of Christmas week will more long-distance passenger trains be run than on an ordinary week-day. The trains will thus be far fewer than is usual at Christmas, and if more people seek to travel than can be accommodated, they will find themselves left behind on the station. Normal long-distance services will run in Scotland at the New Year period.

Major Lyons

As the request for the cessation of travel last August was entirely stultified by extra trains being put on at the last moment, can the Parliamentary Secretary give us an assurance that there will not be a repetition of this farce this Christmas?

Colonel Llewellin

I think I made it quite clear in my answer that in no circumstances will these services be increased. That is the decision which has been reached, and that decision will be adhered to.

65. Mr. Mander

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will make arrangements for equivalent travelling facilities to be available during the Christmas holidays for members of the Services as for civilians; and whether he will give an assurance that in no circumstances will extra trains be put on?

Colonel Llewellin

I think that there has been some misunderstanding as to the arrangement made in regard to Service leave at Christmas. Members of the Services are allowed four weeks' privilege leave with free travel. The normal amount of privilege leave will be given during the Christmas period, but it has been so arranged as to avoid travel by long-distance trains during 24th to 28th December inclusive. Certain classes of leave travel, such as embarkation leave and leave granted on compassionate grounds, will not be affected. Short-pass leave, involving travel by rail, will, however, be discontinued between 20th and 29th December inclusive. The movements of the general public obviously cannot be controlled in this way. I have dealt with the last part of the Question in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Leicester (Major Lyons).

Mr. Mander

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind the no less firm statements that were made last August, but not adhered to? Will he see that the same thing does not happen again?

Colonel Llewellin

Yes, Sir. I said so quite distinctly.

Mr. Mander

Not in the same spirit as last August?

Colonel Llewellin

I did not make that statement in August. I make it now, and we intend to adhere to it. I hope everybody will realise that this is going to be the fact.