HC Deb 31 March 1947 vol 435 cc1647-9
34. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the recent announcement that restricted summer services will operate upon the four main line railways, what arrangements he proposes to cope with the holiday traffic which promises to be greater this year than last year.

Mr. Barnes

The summer timetables are now being worked out. The reduction of services that will be necessary is bound to result in inconvenience to the travelling public, and will make it more important than ever for workers and employers to co-operate to secure the fullest possible staggering of holidays. All who can do so should avoid travelling at weekends.

Mr. Sparks

Will the Minister take steps to make this widely known throughout industry, because the congestion on the railways last year was very serious and it will be very much worse this summer? Will my right hon. Friend see that this is given the widest publicity?

Mr. Barnes

My Department is always stressing the need for staggering, and will continue to do so.

Mr. Walkden

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that the so-called 10 per cent. cut as far as the railway companies are concerned means a cut of 40, 50 and 60 per cent. in the services to certain seaside resorts in different parts of Britain; and will he have a look at that matter?

Mr. Barnes

No, Sir, I do not accept those percentages.

Mr. Walkden

The figures have been sent to my right hon. Friend already.

Mr. Sparks

Is the Minister aware that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, in reply to a Question of mine the other day, said it was impossible to get an agreement between the work people and managements on the arranging of mid—week to mid-week holidays during the holiday period, and that the weekend period was the one generally accepted in industry because of the dislocation that would otherwise arise; and, in view of those facts, could he not persuade the Minister of Labour to reconsider this matter?

Mr. Barnes

I am aware of the position, and that is why we are keeping up the pressure in the opposite direction.

36. Mr. Beechman

asked the Minister of Transport what arrangements have been made to relieve Easter traffic to the West Country, in view of the fact that the Cornish Riviera express has been taken off; and whether this service, which has operated continuously from 1902 until 17th March this year, will be restored so that the taking of holidays may not be unduly restricted.

Mr. Barnes

Owing to the present coal position, services to the West Country during Easter will necessarily be on a restricted scale, and some overcrowding and inconvenience to passengers will, I am afraid, be inevitable. The restoration of the Cornish Riviera express in the summer timetable is now under consideration.

Mr. Beechman

While I am glad to know there will be a relief train for Easter, which will, in effect, be the Cornish Riviera express—maybe "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"—will the Minister bear in mind that similar facilities are at any rate absolutely necessary during Whitsun, and during the summer period, which begins early as far as the West country is concerned?

Mr. Barnes

If the hon. Gentleman examines the reply he will see that the restoration of this train is under consideration.

Mr. Douglas Marshall

Is the Minister aware of the vital need of invisible exports to this country, and will he bear that in mind when considering the que-

Railway. Number of engine miles run.
Coaching. Freight. Departmental. Total.
Great Western … 3,399,370 3,406,243 187,003 6,992,616
London and North Eastern … 5,423,183 6,174,368 465,205 12,062,756
London, Midland and Scottish … 7,233,966 7,573,438 523,595 15,330,999
Southern … 4,524,481 1,180,705 123,719 5,828,905
20,581,000 18,334,754 1,299,522 40,215,276