§ 23. Mr. Tinkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has considered the letter sent him by the hon. Member for Leigh, alleging that the corridor doors were locked on the 10.15 a.m. London to Manchester express on Sunday, 6th February, 1944, causing great difficulty in getting away from the burning compartment and increasing the number of casualties; and will he give instructions that on all train journeys the doors of carriages and corridors shall not be locked.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)As my hon. Friend may be aware, the railway companies have drawn up regulations which govern the locking of doors in the corridors of passenger coaches and in the gangways between coaches. These regulations take full 163 account of all safety considerations, and I am satisfied that they should be maintained. Unfortunately, on the 10.15 a.m. train to Manchester on 6th February, these regulations were not observed, and a door was locked which should have been left open. I have given instructions that the importance of adhering strictly to the regulations shall be impressed upon the railway staff.
§ Mr. TinkerI hope that the hon. Gentleman will realise that the locking of the doors is far too frequent. If such an accident as this happens, may I ask who is guilty of manslaughter if death results? I ask the hon. Gentleman to put this matter right. I hope that he will issue instructions that all doors shall be unlocked, and let us see how that works.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI will send by hon. Friend a copy of the regulations, as they stand. They were carefully examined after a serious accident two years ago, and changes were made, which, I think, removed the dangers that then existed.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs my hon. Friend aware that, apart from the danger of fire, the practice of locking corridor doors is highly objectionable, and that frequently it is impossible to get through a corridor, with the result that passengers are jammed in, one part of the train when there is empty space in another part? Will he look into the matter?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir, I realise the difficulty; but there are strong considerations on the other side.
§ Mr. SilvermanIs my hon. Friend aware that more than once fatalities have occurred which would not have occurred but for the locking of the corridor doors?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir, that happened two years ago, as I have said. Since then, the regulations have been altered.
§ Mr. SilvermanWas the locking of the doors, on this occasion, in accordance with the regulations? If so, what was the reason which required the doors to be locked?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerNo, Sir; as I said, the regulations were not observed, and the doors were locked when they should have been left open.
§ Mr. TinkerI beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.