§ Captain Gunterasked the Minister of War Transport if, in view of the inconvenience now being suffered by rail users of Laindon and Pitsea, he will take steps to ensure a more adequate train service between Fenchurch Street and these stations, especially in view of the large numbers of residents of these places being engaged on essential work in the East End of London; and if due to congestion on this section of the L.M.S. Railway it is found impossible to increase the number of trains operating, he will arrange a more equitable distribution of facilities as between Southend-on-Sea and the Laindon-Pitsea section.
§ Mr. BarnesDuring the war the population of Laindon and Pitsea has increased and those towns have been given more trains than before the war. The question whether any adjustment can be made in the present Southend services to improve the service with the intermediate stations is at present under consideration by the railway company, and, I am informed, that a meeting is being held with the Laindon and District Railway Travellers' Association on Wednesday evening next to consider the matter. I also understand that from 22nd October the 5.12 p.m. train from Fenchurch Street to Thorpe Bay calls at Laindon and Pitsea, and the train timed to leave Fenchurch Street at 5.16 p.m. has been altered to start from Barking at 5.33 p.m. in order to provide more accommodation for Laindon and Pitsea passengers.