HC Deb 18 March 1946 vol 420 cc1518-20
40. Colonel Thornton-Kemsley

asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that county cricket championship matches at Aberdeen on six Saturdays during the coming season may have to be cancelled unless the last trains south can be altered from 5.15 p.m., L.N.E.R., and 5.25 p.m., L.M.S., to the prewar times of 7.30 p.m. and 7.45 p.m., respectively; and whether, in the interests of the public and of those anxious to play or watch cricket, the necessary additions can be made to the train service on Saturdays during the summer months.

75. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of War Transport if he will announce the revised spring and summer transport, late on Saturday evenings, to and from the city of Aberdeen, soon enough to permit the local cricket and other sporting clubs to arrange their programmes of events for the forthcoming season.

Mr. Barnes

The practicability of including later trains from Aberdeen in the summer timetable will be considered and I will inform the hon. Members as soon as a decision is reached.

Colonel Thornton-Kemsley

When that consideration is being made, will the right hon. Gentleman bear inmind that in England county cricket car be seen almost every day of the week, but in Scotland it is only on six days that county cricket can be seen, and cricket supporters are relying upon the Minister to provide transport for it?

Mr. Boothby

can the right hon. Gentleman seriously state what is the advantage of starting these trains so early? What is the gain? What is the point of it?

Mr. Hector Hughes

In considering this question, will the Minister realise that it affects not only the sporting Aberdonians but also the commercial. industrial and social interests of that city?

Mr. Barnes

I can only repeat that this matter will receive consideration when the new time lists are brought out. With regard to the hon. Member's question of the timing of trains, I think he will appreciate that the timing of trains involves a number of other services and a single train route cannot be taken into account by itself.