§ Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will consider the advisability of procuring details from the various railway groups of the number of railway officers and servants whose services have been dispensed with consequent upon amalgamation; and whether he will inquire what compensation has been made to any workers thus displaced;
(2) whether he is aware that under the scheme of amalgamation a large number of railway porters have been dispensed with; whether he has considered the fact that the holiday season and week ends brings an increasing number of young children to the railways by means of school treats and the like; that there are not sufficient porters to provide for their safety; and will he bring the matter before the railway companies with a view to increase platform assistance, especially at week ends?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI have no reason to suppose that the services of any con- 459W siderable number of railway officers and servants have been dispensed with, as a result of railway grouping, and I would remind my hon. Friend that any of the existing officers and servants referred to in the Third Schedule of the Railways Act are entitled to compensation, if their services be so dispensed with. No specific complaints have reached me to the effect that the number of porters is inadequate, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any such cases, I will bring them to the notice of the railway companies.