§ 57. Mr. BUCHANANasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that on passenger trains between Glasgow and London carriages are being lit by gas; and, in view of a recent accident and the findings of the Court of Inquiry thereon as to lighting trains by this method, if he will take steps to secure in future electric lighting on all carriages?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)I am informed that all the passenger rolling stock on the scheduled services between Glasgow and London on the London and North Eastern Railway is lighted by electricity, and that, as regards the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, about 99 per cent. of the vehicles of express passenger trains between London and Scotland are at present electrically lighted. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to add anything at present to the answers given on the 13th November last to questions on this subject asked by the hon. Members for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha) and West Willesden (Mr. Viant).
§ Mr. BUCHANANDoes not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think, in view of these inquiries and in view of the fact that hon. Members of this House travel frequently in trains that are gas-lighted on journeys covering over 400 miles each, some urgent steps are demanded from him?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have the whole matter under consideration.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWhen will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman be able to make a statement as to what he is prepared to do?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf the hon. Member puts down a question in due course I will do my best to answer it.