Mr. E. P. Smithasked the Minister of War Transport the reasons for the recent increasing unpunctuality of the trains between Ashford, Kent, and London.
§ Mr. BarnesThe average late arrival of trains on this route has, during the last month, been reduced by more than one half, to eight minutes. The Southern Railway are giving the closest attention to the working of this route with a view to effecting further improvements. Apart from the difficulties which are common to all railway services at present, this route is particularly affected by the running of special leave and other trains for the Forces overseas. Up to 30 such trains are run daily and their timings are dependent upon the arrival of cross-channel steamers which is irregular.