HC Deb 30 May 1945 vol 411 cc208-9
37. Miss Ward

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will arrange to inform the public of the services rendered to the war effort by the railwaymen as a whole, but with particular reference to the arduous and dangerous work of making up goods trains under difficult conditions.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

My hon. Friend will remember that an appreciation of the services rendered to the war effort by railwaymen, including those concerned in the making up of goods trains, under enemy attack was included in the book entitled "Transport Goes to War" produced for the Ministry of War Transport by the Ministry of Information in 1942. My Noble Friend will, however, take an early opportunity of revealing a good deal more of the work of railwaymen during the war, both under enemy attack and in the successful mounting of our own defensive and offensive preparations,

Miss Ward

While thanking my hon. Friend for his answer, may I ask him to bear in mind that the general public have no conception of the work that has been done by the men who work on the railways?

Mr. Keeling

Will the review which is to be forthcoming also mention the services of railway managements and the sacrifices of railway shareholders?

Mr. Thorneycroft

I hope it will refer to the work done by all parties concerned.

Viscountess Astor

Have not the general public shown their appreciation, time after time, of the extraordinary sacrifices made by men of the railway companies, not only managers but the people on the railways?