§ Mr. Attlee (by Private Notice)asked the Minister of Transport whether he can 227 make any statement on the accident which occurred on the underground railway at Charing Cross this morning?
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Burgin)Yes, Sir. I regret to inform the House that shortly before 10 a.m. to-day an Inner Circle train on the District Line ran into the rear of a stationary Barking train on the east-bound road between Charing Cross and Temple stations, at a point slightly nearer the latter, with the result that the last coach but one of the Barking train was seriously damaged. The cause of the collision is not yet known and is now under investigation. It is with the deepest regret that I have to state that, so far as is at present known, five passengers were killed or have since died and 29 passengers are detained in hospital injured, some of them seriously. Accompanied by the Parliamentary Secretary and my officials, I have visited the scene of the accident and I have appointed one of my inspecting officers of railways to hold an inquiry. The House will join with me in expressing the deep sympathy we must all feel with those affected by the accident.
§ Sir William DavisonArising out of that statement by the Minister of Transport as to this deplorable accident, may I ask him to consider whether the recent policy of the Transport Board, in speeding up both trains and omnibuses, may not have been carried to excess, thus placing an undue strain upon those who are operating these services?