§ Sir HILDRED CARLILEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the following railway companies, Midland Railway Company, London and North-Western Railway Company, and Great Northern Railway Company, who have a monopoly of railway traffic in and through the city of St. Albans, have recently closed a receiving office for parcels, goods, and inquiries in the centre of that city, to the inconvenience of the trading and other members of the community; whether he is aware that the railway stations serving St. Albans are at a considerable distance from the centre of the town; and whether he will give in-
634Wincrease in the number of houses from year to year is that afforded by the Inland Revenue Returns as to houses charged with or exempt from Inhabited House Duty, but, of course, these Returns give no information as to houses demolished from time to time, and therefore the increase in the total number of houses from year to year is less than the total number built from year to year. I will send the hon. Member, and circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT, a statement compiled from the Inland Revenue Returns which may be of service.
The following is the statement referred to:
structions for the receiving office, which has been maintained for the last thirty years, to be re-opened or other suitable provision to be made forthwith?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am aware that the Midland Railway Company have closed their town receiving office at St. Albans on the ground, as I understand, that they no longer require it. Representations on the subject have already been made to the Board of Trade, who are in communication with the railway company on the matter.
Sir E. JONESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the trains running in and out of Merthyr which have 635W been taken, off during the War can now be restored; and whether any special train facilities can be arranged for the Easter holidays?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am making inquiries, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.