HC Deb 04 May 1914 vol 62 cc21-2
35. Mr. WILLIAM THORNE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the overcrowding which occurs in the trains on the East London section of the Metropolitan District Railway between the hours of 7 and 10 a.m.; that the train which arrived at Aldgate East station at 8.27 a.m. on 30th April was overcrowded when it left Upton Park station, and that by taking up fresh passengers at every station by the time it reached Mile End it was almost impossible for anyone to enter or leave the train, and that in coach 185 the gatemen had great difficulty in entering the train and performing their duties; that during the past five years the Member for South-West Ham has repeatedly called the attention of the Board of Trade to the serious overcrowding on this railway; that the position is becoming intensified in consequence of the increasing population of the districts served by the railway; and if he intends taking action to force the railway company to remedy this state of affairs?

Mr. ROBERTSON

As regards the specific case of overcrowding mentioned in the first part of this question, I am in correspondence with the railway companies concerned, and will communicate with my hon. Friend on receipt of their replies. With respect to the second part of the question, I am afraid I cannot add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 9th March last. The difficulties of providing an effective remedy in this matter have more than once been explained to my hon. Friend.

Mr. W. THORNE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that this overcrowding is getting most unbearable; what is going to be the result in another five years; and whether the Board of Trade could not take into consideration that something must be done in the course of a few years to remedy the complaint?

Mr. ROBERTSON

I have invited any suggestions from the hon. Gentleman, but, as a matter of fact, trains are running about as frequently as they can and are as long as the platforms admit, and there, can be no reform short of some fresh facilities.

Mr. W. THORNE

May I suggest that an underground railway is the remedy?