§ 90. Mr. Channonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the serious all-round deterioration of the train services between Southend and London, especially in respect of late running; and whether he will take steps to introduce, as soon as possible, substantial improvement.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am aware of the difficulties which the railway company have experienced in maintaining punctual services on the line to Southend, and I will communicate further with my hon. Friend about them. In the meantime, the train working is under special observation, and every effort is being made to effect an improvement.
§ Mr. ChannonIs my hon. Friend aware that thousands of people, many of them war workers, suffer daily discomfort and inconvenience; and that since the so-called improvement in the train services for Southend started, I have had the early morning train watched, and that for 20 mornings out of 22 it was very late, and that it was always overcrowded?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir, I know that passengers are suffering great hardships. I will endeavour to explain to my hon. Friend the difficulties, which we are doing our best to put right, but which it is extremely hard for us to overcome.