§ 33. Dr. A. Thompsonasked the Minister of Health if he will consult the British Transport Commission regarding the harmful effect of overheated compartments in diesel trains on the health of passengers with chest complaints.
§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport that the heating of railway compartments is a matter of day-to-day 943 administration which falls entirely within the responsibility of the British Transport Commission, but I am sure that the Commission will take due note of what the hon. Member has said.
§ Dr. ThompsonIn view of the large incidence of bronchitis and chest complaints in this country, will the Minister, perhaps in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Scotland, bear in mind the fact that the contrast in temperature when stepping from cold platforms into extremely overheated trains can cause severe distress to this kind of patient, and that although the distress may not be permanent, and may not have permanent effects, it can in the short term be very distressing?
If the Minister is in doubt, may I suggest that he accompanies me one day on the 1.5 diesel train from Waverley Station to my constituency? I assure him that by the time we have got over the Forth Bridge the desperate overheating in the diesel compartment will have reduced him to the state of a limp rag.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI think I must resist the temptation, attractive as it is, to make the journey in company with the hon. Gentleman and must seek his company on some other and more convenient occasion. I am sure, however, that the Commission will have all these points in mind.