HC Deb 07 June 1944 vol 400 cc1343-4
38. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the chaos caused on certain railway stations consequent upon the failure of the companies to give adequate notice of the cancellation of trains; and will he take steps to avoid this.

Mr. Noel-Baker

I do not accept my hon. Friend's assertion that there has been chaos at railway stations. Warnings have been issued on several occasions that further reductions in the number of passenger trains would be required, and the public were specifically informed on 16th May that trains would be cancelled without notice. For security reasons, the Government have not allowed the railway companies to- publish the details of the cancellations that are made. Lists of the trains that will not run are, however, posted at the stations.

Mr. Davies

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that women with' children in arms have had to sit at the stations for four and five hours waiting for trains and cannot something be done to avoid tat sort of thing?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I think that things are a great deal better, and that the public have accepted with great fortitude the hardships which we have had to impose. I would like to assure my hon. Friend that we did give very full consideration to the inconvenience that we knew we should be imposing on the public, but we, nevertheless, decided that our plans were necessary and right.

Mr. Wootton-Davies

May I ask the hon. Gentleman why he did not adopt the suggestion made by the railway companies that they should keep their winter time-tables in being, as that would not have given, away any information and would have saved bitter disappointment later?

Mr. Noel-Baker

There were the strongest possible reasons, as I shall be glad to explain to my hon. Friend if he will see me behind Mr. Speaker's Chair.