§ Mr. Bateyasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the seriously overcrowded condition of the passenger trains this week running between Newcastle and Kings Cross, compelling soldiers, unable to obtain seats, to stand in the corridors; and will he say how long this condition is to continue?
§ Captain WallaceAs I foreshadowed in the statement which I made on 21st February, the programme of additional trains of coal from Durham and Northumberland necessitates a considerable reduction of passenger services on the main lines between Newcastle and London. This has resulted in some over-crowding of the remaining services. To mitigate the inconvenience as far as possible trains are being lengthened to full engine capacity and ordinary coaches are being substituted for sleeping cars on the night trains. In view of the importance of building up stocks of coal the reduction of passenger services will, I regret, have to continue until adequate reserves have been accumulated.