HC Deb 22 October 1945 vol 414 cc1660-1
10. Mr. Keeling

asked the Minister of War Transport whether he is aware, that wounded Servicemen in hospital blue are being turned out of first-class seats by railway officials, even when no third-class seats are vacant; and whether he will give instructions for this practice to cease.

Mr. Barnes

Apart from the instance to which the hon. Member has drawn my attention, I am not aware of any case in which a wounded Serviceman in hospital blue has been turned out of a first-class seat when no third-class seats are vacant. To obviate the possibility of any recurrence of this, instructions are being given to the railway staff on the subject.

Mr. Keeling

I should like to thank my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the Minister aware that at Euston the other night a group of American soldiers were put out of a first-class carriage so that officers could be put in, and that a number of civilians in the corridor then got into the carriage and refused to come out, and will he give a ruling that when a train is crowded whoever gets into a carriage first has the right to stay there?

Mr. Barnes

I am not responsible for all these interesting incidents that happen on the railways.