Sir LEICESTER HARMSWORTHasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the postal and other inconveniences which are caused by the late running of trains on the Highland Railway and that these delays are increasing in number and extent; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made with a view of providing that trains on this, railway shall arrive at destinations with some remote approach to their scheduled times; (2) whether in view of the protracted delays in the running of railway trains on the Highland Railway 1881W he will take steps to compel this railway to especially heat all carriages and to provide increased refreshment-room facilities?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am informed by the Highland Railway Company that delay is frequently caused to their principal mail trains owing to the late arrival at Perth of the connecting night postal train from London, and I am making further inquiries in the matter. As regards the heating of carriages and the provision of refreshment facilities, I am sending the hon. Baronet a copy of a letter which I have received from the railway company.