§ 22. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the general overcrowding of the suburban services of the main line railways during rush hours has been accentuated by war conditions; that the London Passenger Transport Board has met this difficulty in part by the abolition of first-class 1965 carriages on the majority of their services; and whether he will ask the Railway Executive Committee to adopt a similar policy for all London suburban services?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonI do not think that the abolition of first-class travel would result in increasing appreciably the accommodation available on suburban trains. In rush hours and under crowded conditions trains must carry all they can, and under such conditions third-class passengers are allowed to occupy first-class carriages without further payment.
§ Mr. SilvermanIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that at King's Cross Station they have the practice, during rush hours, of locking first-class carriages so that people cannot get into them, while allowing third-class carriages to be filled by complete rows of people on each side with double rows standing between?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonI was not aware of that, but I hope what I have said to-day will meet the position.
Sir Herbert WilliamWill my right hon. and gallant Friend find out what proportion of Members of Parliament take first-class fares?
§ Mr. ThorneDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman know that I saw one of my own friends going into a first-class carriage at King's Cross Station the other day?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonI hope that what I have said to-day will meet the difficulty.