§ Mr. Boardmanasked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware that the 11.55 p.m. train from Manchester to Bristol on 28th October was overcrowded with personnel and civilians herded together; and whether it is now possible to bring back to this country rolling stock sent to the Continent for the purpose of exceptional troop movements.
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§ Mr. BarnesYes, I am informed that the passenger traffic on this train was exceptionally heavy on the 28th October. It was made up of the maximum number of coaches that can be accommodated at London Road Station and three additional coaches were added at Stockport. Arrangements have already been made for the return of the coaches which were lent to the military authorities last summer for use on the Continent. About half of them have already been handed back to the British railways and the remainder will be returned as soon as possible.