§ MR. ERNEST GRAY (West Ham, N)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the complaints which are constantly being made respecting the condition of the carriages and railway stations on the London, Tilbury, and Southend line; and whether he will take steps to obtain reliable information respecting overcrowded trains, dirty railway carriages, and dirty waiting and retiring rooms, in order that he may be in a position to advise Parliament on the measures which should be adopted for dealing with these grievances.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI have received a copy of a memorial in which allegations of the 169 nature referred to by the hon. Member are made, and a deputation recently brought to the notice of the Board of Trade complaints as to overcrowding on the railway in question, and as to the accommodation provided at one station, viz., East Ham. I understand the Railway Company do not admit the general accuracy of many of the statements contained in the Memorial. As to overcrowding, there is reason to believe that relief will he afforded when the White-chapel and Bow Railway is opened and preliminary notice of the approaching completion of that line has been given to the Board of Trade. The Board have also received a plan of the works to be carried out at East Ham station, and have urged the Company to proceed with them as soon as possible.
§ MR. ERNEST GRAYasked if the right hon. Gentleman would send an inspector to inquire into these complaints.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURsaid he had no power to do that.