HC Deb 05 July 1920 vol 131 cc1054-5W
Mr. R. YOUNG

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that in many long-distance trains sufficient seating accommodation for third-class passengers is not provided, and that the standing in the carriages and the crowding of the corridors means not only inconvenience and discomfort, but risk of personal danger to such passengers; and whether in such cases official instructions will be issued authorising the use of vacant places in first-class compartments, seeing these are often empty and run at a loss to the company concerned?

Sir E. GEDDES

The railway companies provide first-class and third-class seating accommodation in proportions which experience has shown to be necessary on the average, and I cannot give instructions that passengers who pay third-class fares should be given the same accommodation as those who pay first-class fares.