§ 42. Colonel Thornton-Kemsleyasked the Minister of War Transport upon what basis sleeping berths are allotted at Aberdeen Joint station; whether the proportion of sleepers reserved by the company to cover last-minute applications by business men is higher than at other stations; how many first- and third-class sleepers on the London train are normally available for non-priority passengers after provision has been made for Government priority passengers and last-minute business applicants; and if he is aware that sleepers for the journey North can be obtained in London at not more than 10 days' notice, whereas passengers are often informed at Aberdeen that all sleepers for the journey south are booked a fortnight or more ahead.
§ Mr. BarnesThirty-four first-class and 56 third-class sleeping berths are normally provided on the night train from Aberdeen to London. Six first-class and six third-class berths are reserved for allocation to Government priority passengers until the afternoon of the day before travel. Of the berths available to the general public the railway company allocates 17 first-class 20 and 21 third-class berths to passengers joining the train at Aberdeen and the remainder to passengers from Dundee and other stations south of Aberdeen. These berths are allotted as and when applications are received and none is reserved to meet late applications by business men.
§ Mr. Hector HughesHaving regard to the crowds travelling by the trains running to and from Aberdeen will the Minister consider putting on some extra trains?
§ Mr. BarnesWe have not the trains at the moment to put on.