§ MR. NIELD (Middlesex, Ealing)To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the District Railway have for many hours of the day reduced the number of carriages making up a train to four, and in many cases three, and that
‡ See (4) Debates, clviii., 643.205 as a result much overcrowding and inconvenience is occasioned to travellers, not unattended with danger; and whether he will consider the advisability of making representations to the company on the subject, and, if necessary, framing regulations which shall prevent a continuance of the practice complained of.(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Complaint has been made to the Board of Trade that the Metropolitan District Railway Company have reduced the number of carriages making up certain of their trains, and I have been in communication with the railway company on the subject. The company now inform me that the frequent services of seven-car trains, which were at first provided after the introduction of electric traction upon their line in 1905, wore found to be in excess of public requirements, and have consequently been curtailed from time to time. The company add that they still have these services under careful observation, and are of opinion that the trains at present run meet the requirements of their passengers. If the hon. Member will furnish specific instances of habitual over-crowding of these shortened trains, further inquiry shall be made, but the Board of Trade have no powers which would enable them to frame regulations of the nature suggested.