§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that on Wednesday, 22nd March, a train arriving at the Whitechapel station of the Metropolitan District Railway at 8.25 p.m. was crowded to such an extent that the door-men could not close the doors of the four carriages comprising the train until some of the passengers had been compelled to alight, and that at least 100 passengers were left on the platform after the train had left the station to wait for another train; and whether the Board of Trade is prepared to seek legislative power to prevent the continual over-crowding which takes place upon the Metropolitan District Railway?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Buxton)I am informed by the railway company that the over-crowding of the train referred to was due to its being delayed in consequence of a mechanical failure, which interfered with the service for a few minutes. The company state that under normal conditions the train is not over-crowded. I am not proposing legislation on the question at present.
§ Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that some of the over-crowding which takes place upon the Metropolitan District Railway is caused by the inadequate train service provided by the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway; if he is aware that there is no train on this railway, from Upton Park Station to London, between 7.45 a.m. and 8.35 a.m., and no train to London calls at Upton Park between 8.51 a.m. and 10.31 a.m.; 1319 that there is no tram from Fenchurch Street calling at Upton Park between 4.46 p.m. and 6.33 p.m.; and if he intends taking action in the matter?
§ Mr. BUXTONI am in communication with the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway Company in this matter, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.