Captain CRAIGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Midland Railway, Northern Counties Committee, have announced that from 1st October, 1909, they propose to alter their evening train service from the North of Ireland to arrive at Belfast at 9.10 p.m., too late to enable passengers to avail themselves of the Belfast Steamship Company, Limited's steamers to Liverpool, which have to start at 9 p.m. in order to connect with the various train services on the English side; further to alter their morning train from Belfast from 8.25 a.m. to 8 a.m., and to take 25 minutes longer on the journey, thus reverting to a slower Schedule than 10 years ago, and making it impossible for passengers by the Liverpool boats to catch the train; whether he is aware that such action will have the effect of compelling intending passengers to 1636W travel either by steamers owned by the Midland or partly owned by the London and North-Western Railway Companies; and whether he will communicate with the Midland Company with a view to urging a continuation of the old time table, in vogue for many years, which enabled anyone to travel by whichever steamers they pleased?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am aware that the alterations in the train service are announced. I have communicated with the Northern Counties Committee on the subject, and will inform the hon. and gallant Member of their reply.