§ 66. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the announcement of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company that they are closing several railway stations in South London next month and stopping part of their local train services; is he aware of the workmen's traffic, of both sexes, during the morning and evening from many of these stations; and whether, in view of the obligations of the company under the Cheap Trains Act of 1883 to provide sufficient and suitable workmen's trains daily at reasonable fares, he will cause an immediate inquiry into the company's announcement, or see that the company shall provide some facilities for this workmen's traffic, as otherwise, owing to the overcrowded state of existing trams, tubes and omnibuses, it 2087 will be impossible for numbers of working people to reach their employment from South London?
Mr. RUNCIMANI have asked the managing committee of the South Eastern and Chatham Railway for their observations on this matter, and I will communicate with my hon. Friend upon receipt of their reply.