HC Deb 21 April 1947 vol 436 cc584-5
11 and 12. Mr. John Lewis

asked the Minister of Transport (1) the average number of people per hour over the whole week using the L.M.S. station at London Road, Manchester, between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.; and the railway company's staff which it is estimated would be required to keep the refreshment rooms open until 1 a.m.;

(2) if he is now in a position to state the decision of the L.M.S. Railway Company in regard to keeping the buffet and refreshment rooms at London Road Station, Manchester, open until 1 a.m. each morning, including Monday morning, for the purpose of serving hot drinks to travellers, including soldiers.

Mr. Barnes

A census of passengers was taken on 15th April. Eight hundred and thirty-five passengers were counted between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., 350 from 11 p.m. to midnight, and 697 from midnight to r a.m. Two additional attendants have now been engaged and arrangements have been made for the refreshment rooms to remain open until 1 a.m. from today.

Mr. Lewis

I am much obliged.

Mr. Sparks

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the refreshment rooms at the London terminal stations are not open during the night? Can he make some inquiries, especially in view of the coming holiday period, to see if it is possible to have refreshment rooms kept open all night, for the benefit of passengers who may have to wait many hours for their trains?

Mr. Barnes

It is always more useful to have one's attention drawn to a specific case than to a general statement, which may cover a wide and unnecessary field.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that the whole refreshment service on the railways is utterly inadequate, not only in Lancashire but at all termini, and will he make it his business to have a special inquiry into the best means of serving the public with refreshments?

Mr. Barnes

I am aware of that general deficiency. That is why we propose to nationalise the railways.