§ 25. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been drawn to the evidence given at a Camberwell inquest, on the 9th June, held on Terence Vernon Hyde, four years of age, of 44, Phelp Street, S.E., who fell from a railway carriage between Herne Hill and the Elephant and Castle stations; and, in view of the expressed opinion of the jury, whether any representations have been made to the railway company with a view to proper examination of carriage doors before trains are allowed to depart?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)My attention has been called to the verdict and rider at the inquest to which the hon. Member refers. I have made no representations to the railway company of the nature indicated in the last part of the question, and in this connection I may explain that I am informed by the company that the guard of the train in question asserts that all the doors of the train were securely closed and the handles turned when the train 234 left Loughborough Junction, which was the last station at which the train called before the accident occurred.
§ Colonel DAYIs it not a fact that since the strike the majority of these small stations have been very much under-staffed?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThat may or may not be; I do not admit it. But whether it was so or not, the point I wish to make is that the guard of the train says that he closed the doors securely before the train left the last station.