HC Deb 28 February 1945 vol 408 cc1382-3
71. Colonel Sir A. Lambert Ward

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has been called to the inadequate service of trains between London and Hull; whether he is aware that there is only one through train per day in each direction; and whether he will consider improving the service.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Besides one through train in each direction, there are on weekdays seven trains from London which provide reasonable connections to Hull and five trains which do so from Hull to London. In view of the heavy traffic on these lines, I regret that it is not at present possible to increase the services.

Sir Lambert Ward

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in spite of the fact that there is only one train each way between London and Hull there are more than 10 trains between London and Newcastle, and nearly 20 trains both ways between London and Bradford, and that neither of those cities has a population as large as the City of Hull?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I am aware of that, but it is impossible to arrange matters so that passengers for Hull do not have to change.

Sir Frank Sanderson

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that the third largest port in the United Kingdom deserves a better service than one through train per day?