76. Sir F. HALLasked the Home Secretary whether seeing that on and after the 4th August next the police have been instructed to enforce the provisions of Sections 13 and 15 of the Railway Passenger Act, 1842, which provide that a greater number of passengers in public vehicles than seating accommodation is provided for must not be carried, but to allow some latitude before 8.30 a.m. on weekdays, between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, both days inclusive, and between 12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m. on Saturdays, to the extent that the number of standing passengers on all those occasions may not exceed five in the lower deck of an omnibus or, in the case of a tramcar, one-third of the number for whom seating accommodation is provided in the lower saloon, he will, in consequence of the heavy traffic in the morning and evening, agree to the substitution of 9 a.m. for 8.30 a.m., and 7 p.m. for 6.30 p.m.?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe instructions in question follow the recommendation made by the London Traffic Advisory Committee after full consideration of the whole problem, and I regret I do not see my way to alter them in the sense suggested. The arrangement may be regarded as to some extent experimental and its operation will be carefully watched.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIf the law is to be enforced in the case of tramways and omnibuses, will it also be enforced in the case of trains, as to which there are similar laws, especially on the Southern Railway?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe Home Secretary is not the authority with regard to trains.