HC Deb 06 August 1924 vol 176 cc2912-3
43. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the frequent overcrowding of the trains between Hull and King's Cross and between King's Cross and Hull, especially in regard to the third-class compartments; if he is aware that passengers have recently had to travel the whole journey standing in the corridors or sitting on their luggage in the corridors: and whether he will bring this matter to the notice of the railway company concerned?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Gosling)

My attention has not previously been directly to overcrowding on the particular service referred to, but I will call the attention of the railway company to the hon. Member's complaint.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

Has the hon. Gentleman any powers if the railway companies pay no attention to him?

Mr. BUCHANAN

Is it not a fact that the attention of the Minister of Transport has been called to complaints of overcrowding on the North-Eastern, the Midland and the Scottish routes, and that the overcrowding at present is worse than it was when his attention was called to it originally, and what steps, if any, does he intend to take to secure the safety of the travelling public?

Viscount CURZON

Can the hon. Gentleman institute a special inquiry, covering all the railways of the country, into this question of overcrowding?

Mr. GOSLING

I think that a great deal of the trouble at the moment is owing to the abnormal traffic—[HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]—owing to the Exhibition. I think that that is beyond dispute. Wherever there are cases demanding attention, I do look into them, and I do the best I can.

Mr. HOFFMAN

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet circularised the local authorities with regard to their powers in this matter, as he stated in reply to a question put by me a little while ago?

Mr. LUMLEY

Is it not a fact that ever since the amalgamation, two years ago, the service to Hull has been much worse than it was ever before? Will he bear that fact in mind if he or his Government consider still further amalgamations?

Mr. E. BROWN

Will the hon. Gentleman consult those Members who went to the Holland by-election, and get their opinion as to the monstrous overcrowding on this line?