HC Deb 13 December 1939 vol 355 cc1182-3
30. Mr. Thorne

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the reasons why the lighting inside railway carriages on the trains running down to Upminster do not have the same lights during the black-out hours as are on the Inner Circle, trains?

Captain Wallace

It has recently been arranged for trains in the tunnel sections of the Inner Circle, and as far as Bow Road, to run with full lighting. When trains are running on open sections such as the line to Upminster, this lighting has to be switched off; but permission has been given for the installation of special fittings which will give a subdued light to permit of reading in all coaches. The manufacture of these fittings and the extra electric wiring necessary will take time, and it may be some three months before all coaches on this line are fitted up.

Mr. Thorne

I take it for granted that these remedies will be effective before we have the black-out next year?

Captain Wallace

The three months to which I referred in my answer seems well within that time.