asked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that by last month advance bookings on the weekly Oban-Euston L.M.S. sleeping coach had been fully taken up as far ahead as 22nd October next; and, under these circumstances, what arrangements he recommends the railway company to adopt to meet the case of those members of the public obliged to travel at short notice from the West Highlands and Islands to London and the South of England for business or other urgent reasons.

I am aware that there is heavy advance booking on this service. The possibility of providing additional sleeping cars on this route has recently been considered, but owing to the heavy loading of the scheduled and relief trains, it has not been found practicable. It is my intention to keep under investigation the possibility of increasing sleeper accommodation.