§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Transport if he can now make any definite statement as to the relaxation of the Government order that the railway passenger services all over the country must be reduced by 60 per cent.; and whether he is aware that many companies are in possession of sufficient coal to enable them to run extended services for the benefit of seaside resorts?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not aware of any Order to the effect suggested by my hon. Friend but, as I have already explained to the House, I impressed upon the railway companies at an early stage of the emergency the importance of conserving coal in view of the stoppage in the mines. It has been left to the companies to use their discretion in meeting first the more essential needs, and in deciding how far they are justified in extending services they must have regard to their supplies present and prospective. I may add that in recent weeks the consumption of coal by the railway companies
1902WFinancial years ending in 1925 are as follow:
has been substantially in excess of 50 per cent. of the normal consumption.