§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government, whether, in order to facilitate the mobility of persons who are disabled, they will urge British Rail to consider the installation of self-opening and self-closing doors in rail coaches with central corridors.]
THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE, R.A.F. (LORD WINTER-BOTTOM)My Lords, I will certainly draw the noble Lord's suggestion to the attention of the Railways Board, though it may be that there would be considerable practical difficulties.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that very limited reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that these automatic doors have been fitted in hundreds of supermarket stores all over this country and that they are used in many main-line expresses in Japan, with highly successful results? Why should British Rail have lagged behind in this respect?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, the automatic opening by photo electric cell, which, as the noble Lord has said, operates in some supermarkets, is likely to be extremely expensive. This is something upon which the Railways Board, which has to operate as a commercial undertaking, must reach a decision itself.
§ LORD SEGALBut, my Lords, these doors can be afforded in Japan. Does it mean that we are quite unable to afford them in this country?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I have nothing to add to what I have said.
§ LORD MOYLEMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that British Rail give very favourable consideration to crippled people, even to the point of diverting trains to avoid the necessity for these passengers to cross bridges?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his helpful intervention.