§ 81. Mr. STANTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the overcrowding in railway carriages; if he will direct the railway companies to make adequate arrangements so that people who pay for a seat in a railway compartment shall be assured of receiving what they pay for; if his attention has been called to cases in which tired, and often wounded, soldiers are herded together, in most unfavourable circumstances, in the corridors of trains for very long journeys; and whether he is prepared to issue directions in order to avoid these inconveniences to the travelling public generally?
Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid that in existing conditions, which necessitate in the national interest the reduction of passenger services, it is impossible to prevent overcrowding on railways at present. It may, indeed, be found necessary to reduce passenger train facilities still further. Arrangements for the conveyance of wounded soldiers come within the province of the War Office.