HC Deb 17 February 1919 vol 112 cc527-8
10. Mr. GILBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Railway Executive Committee to re-open any or all of the suburban railway stations in London and district during the War; if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the travelling public by the continued closing of these stations; and can he make any statement on the subject?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The railway companies concerned are fully alive to the desirability of taking steps in the direction indicated so soon as may be practicable, but I fear that the conditions of transport arising out of the War are not yet sufficiently normal to permit of any general re-opening of the closed suburban stations. I am, however, sending a copy of my hon. Friend's question to the Railway Executive Committee, asking them to consider if anything can be done in the matter.

11. Mr. GILBERT

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware of the great increase of traffic in London on tramways and omnibuses during the last few months; is he aware of the great shortage of both trams and omnibuses during the crush hours of morning and evening at the various London termini; and can his Department do anything, by helping to obtain the necessary men from the Army and giving priority to the tram and omnibus authorities to obtain rolling stock and repairs, to increase and facilitate increased traffic accommodation for the people in London and the suburbs; and

(2) whether his attention has been called to the dangerous overcrowding at certain hours of the tube trains and stations in London and districts; if he proposes to take any action in order to reduce this danger to the travelling public; and can he arrange with the tube companies to run more or longer trains during the crush hours, and also help them to obtain both men from the Army and material for rolling stock from the manufacturers in order to at once improve travelling facilities on these lines?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given on Thursday last to the right hon. Member for South Hammersmith, of which I am sending him a copy. Men are now being released from the Army and material is becoming available, but some time must necessarily elapse before arrears can be overtaken both as regards trams and omnibuses and as regards the tube railways.