HC Deb 07 July 1937 vol 326 cc337-8
39. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Transport the result of his communications with the London Passenger Transport Board on the question of providing more frequent trains of greater capacity upon the routes where congestion is most acute during the peak hours; and whether any arrangements are being made to increase the travelling accommodation on the lines serving the Elephant and Castle and South London districts?

Mr. Burgin

With regard to the first part of the question, I stated the result of my communications in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 23rd June. As regards the second part, I am informed by the Board that, on the Bakerloo line, work is about to commence on the lengthening of the station platforms to enable longer trains to be run; and, in the case of the Morden line, new rolling stock is now under construction which will increase the accommodation of the trains on that line.

Mr. Day

Has the Minister received from the London Passenger Transport Board any definite date when these extensions will take place?

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the South London Railway, particularly the Morden line, the scenes at the rush hour are unprecedented, and that the crushing amounts to a perfect scandal? Cannot he make representations to the Transport Board to have men on the platform in order to organise the traffic?

Mr. Burgin

I think that a far better method than having people on the platform to organise the traffic is to have longer carriages and longer trains. If the hon. Gentleman will read my answer he will see that that is the solution preferred.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the trains are long enough already and sometimes extend beyond the platform? Will he not go into the question of organising the traffic and make representations?

Mr. Burgin

I understand that the Ministry of Transport Vote is put down for Friday. Perhaps the opportunity will then be given for dealing with this matter in debate. It is hardly possible to deal with it by way of question and answer. There are differing views as to the best method of dealing with the traffic. I am as alive as the hon. Gentleman to the difficulty to be contended with. I think that the right method is to lengthen the platform and the trains, but we can perhaps give the reasons for that better in debate.