Mr. Murrayasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that if the arm-rests 1614W are raised in first-class compartments it is possible for four persons to sit on each side as compared with three when the armrests are lowered; and what steps he proposes to take to see that this additional seating capacity is made available?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe construction of first-class compartments and their seating arrangements differ so widely that it is not possible to make any uniform rule that can be generally applied. As my hon. Friend knows, however, instructions were given some time ago to the railway staff that, if the lifting of arm-rests would afford reasonable accommodation for extra passengers, the arm-rests must be lifted. In order to make this instruction more effective, I am now directing the railway companies to post notices in compartments where the arms should be lifted, showing the number of seats which are available.