37. Major Lloydasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has consulted the Railway Executive Committee with a view to increasing the sleeping-car facilities between Glasgow and London; and what advice has been given in this connection?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Colonel Llewellin)I am advised that sleeping accommodation on the trains between Glasgow and London could only be increased at the expense of reducing the seating accommodation or by the substitution of third-class sleepers for first-class sleepers.
Major LloydHas my right hon. and gallant Friend consulted the Railway Executive Committee, and is that their reply?
§ Colonel LlewellinThis reply has been received from the London Midland and Scottish Railway.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs it not the case that there is no shortage of sleepers but that there is a shortage of locomotive power, and that if trains were run slower they could have more sleepers?
§ Colonel LlewellinNo, Sir, that is not the case. The problem is caused by a shortage of locomotive power. We have trains going between London and Glasgow with as many coaches as the engines will take.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIf they go slower, could not the engines take more coaches?
§ Colonel LlewellinOn the other hand, there has been criticism that they do not go fast enough.
§ Mr. KirkwoodIs the Minister aware that if they go much slower we shall not arrive here at all?
38. Major Lloydasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what further representations he has received from the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce contending that there is inequity in the distribution of sleeping berths between Glasgow and London, to the serious detriment of important business engagements; and what steps he is proposing to take to rectify this position?
§ Colonel LlewellinI am sending my hon. and gallant Friend copies of the most recent letter from the Chamber of Commerce, and of the reply which has been sent.