§ 26. Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has discussed the British Rail plan, allowing only first class passengers to use dining cars, with the chairman of British Rail; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyThese are entirely matters of day-to-day management for British Rail. However, I understand that dining cars are at present open to all ticket holders except on eight trains a day where demand exceeds seat availability and priority is given to first class passengers. For the longer-term I understand that BR is thinking of replacing dining cars with at-seat trolley services. These would start, at first experimentally, on the west coast main line later this year, serving meals at seats in most first class coaches, and drinks and cold food to other coaches. Buffet cars would continue to serve hot food.