§ 35. Mr. Viantasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that a special train, not shown in the public time-table, has been booked to run daily between London, Euston, and Glasgow, St. Enoch, in each direction, leaving at 8.40 p.m., the train being composed of 12 vehicles 191 weighing 437 tons empty, with accommodation for 60 first-class sleeping passengers, 56 third-class sleeping and 290 ordinary third-class passengers; that 210 tons of the total weight is taken up by 60 first-class passengers; and, as there is a sleeping-car train in each direction at 9.15 p.m., will he, in view of the resentment expressed by the staff and the public, take steps to have such luxury travelling withdrawn?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIt has been necessary, as a temporary measure, to provide these special trains, in order to cope with exceptionally heavy duty travel by Service personnel and others. Any spare capacity which may be available on any given night is placed at the disposal of the railway company.
§ Mr. ViantWill my hon. Friend use his influence to see that this kind of travel is kept to a minimum?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerOf course, we desire to keep it to a minimum, but I must ask my hon. Friend to believe that this train is really essential.
§ Mr. BuchananIs my hon. Friend aware that this train is advertised as being only for Service people? These people are terribly overcrowded when travelling from Glasgow to London and surely they are entitled to some kind of decency?