§ Mr. Lawasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that people travelling on night trains between Euston and Manchester are unable to have their names put on the waiting lists for first-class sleeper accommodation, as most of the sleepers are reserved for Government officials, until the day before the train leaves; and if he will take steps to remedy this state of affairs.
§ Mr. BarnesThe right hon. Member is misinformed. The railway company holds on average 57 per cent. of the first-class sleeping berths on this route and allots them to passengers in order of application. Any remaining applicants are put on a waiting list and are offered, again in order of application, any unused berths in the allocation held by my Department for priority passengers, but demands on this route are so far in excess of the priority berths held that these can only rarely be returned to the company. Of priority berths generally only one-tenth are taken by Government officials.