HC Deb 01 March 1948 vol 448 cc19-20
28. Mr. William Teeling

asked the Minister of Transport what holiday traffic on the roads from London to Brighton and Hove he estimates will be switched over to rail traffic as the result of the petrol cut; what number of extra trains he proposes to put into service; whether extra buses will be allowed to run; and for how many months will such increases be in force.

Mr. Barnes

It is not practicable to estimate how much traffic may be switched over, or to forecast whether any modification of services may be necessary in consequence.

Mr. Teeling

Could the right hon. Gentleman give us some assurance, in view of the already appalling overcrowding of these trains last summer, that now with the petrol cut down something will be done to make it easier for people to go to those two towns for their holidays?

Mr. Barnes

That is another matter. I was indicating that I could not forecast the amount. No doubt the railway companies will do all they can to meet the increased traffic.