§ 69. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding of trains on the Underground, District, and Metropolitan Railways during certain hours of the day; can he arrange with the railways concerned to provide more accommodation on their services; is he aware that inspectors travel on these trains who charge passengers first-class fares even if they are standing in first-class carriages or their approaches; and whether lie can arrange, for the general convenience of the travelling public on these railways, that only one class of 988 carriage shall be used, the same as on London tube railways, and so save the extra labour and work now caused by issuing, checking, and inspecting first-class tickets?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Wardle)I am afraid that it is scarcely practicable under present conditions for any substantial increase in accommodation to be provided during busy hours on the Metropolitan and District Railways. I understand that the companies have already examined the suggestion made by the hon. Gentleman in the last part of his question, but I will call their attention to it again.