HC Deb 15 June 1948 vol 452 cc226-7
11. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement about the strike of dining-car staff on the Southern Division of British Railways on 7th June.

Mr. Ness Edwards

According to my information, there was no such strike.

Mr. Keeling

But is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that in one of the principal trains to Waterloo on this day, the dining-car had no cooks, no waiters and no food?

Mr. Ness Edwards

I understand that this train was run in two parts, and, as happens very often on other systems, the second part of the train had no dining-car staff; but there was no strike at all.

Mr. Keeling

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether in the old days of private ownership these ghost dining-cars ran?

Mr. Ness Edwards

Certainly, it happened regularly.