40. Mr. FOOT MITCHELLasked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to introduce legislation to give power to his Department or to local authorities to compel railway companies to provide footbridges over dangerous level crossings?
§ Mr. GOSLINGI cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the lines suggested by the hon. Member. I would remind him that the provision of footbridges at level crossings would usually be of the nature rather of a convenience than of a necessary precaution.
§ Mr. REMERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in many cases there is great danger? The railway companies absolutely refuse to do anything of this kind. Can he take steps to see that something should be done?
§ Mr. AYLESWill the Minister, seeing that the companies refuse, consider the question of the nationalisation of the railways so that the community can look after its own interests?
§ Mr. B. SMITHWill the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that men who use the level crossings very often lose as much as 20 minutes out of their dinner hour in waiting for a train to go through, and that a footbridge would obviate this?