§ COLONEL LOCKWOOD (Essex, Epping)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the numerous accidents and the one lately causing the death of the Member for the Romford Division, he is prepared to require the Railway Companies to fit their station platforms to the carriage steps, in which case such an accident as the last named would he impossible?
§ MR. MUNDELLABy the Board of Trade Regulations
as little space as possible is to be left between the edges of the platforms and those of the footboards on the carriages.These Regulations, however, only apply to new stations and old stations at which new works are carried out. We have no power to enforce these Regulations in the case of old stations, but the attention of the Railway Company has been called to this sad case, and I have no doubt they will make the necessary alteration at Romford. I need not say we all deplore the lamentable accident to the hon. Member for that Division.
§ COLONEL LOCKWOODHas not the right hon. Gentleman a good deal of power of gentle persuasion which might be exercised on the Railway Companies?
§ MR. MUNDELLAWe are constantly exercising our power of persuasion on the Railway Companies, but we have no power to enforce the alterations desired when the platforms have reached a certain age.