§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Minister of Transport if he will use his good offices with the Southern Railway Company with a view to the reopening of the Old Kent Road, Brockley Lane, Blackheath Hill, Greenwich Park, Deptford, Lewisham Road and Southwark Park stations, thereby meeting the convenience of the travelling public as well as decreasing unemployment among railway men; and if he will also press upon the company the need for improving the booking office and staircase facilities for passengers using the New Cross and New Cross Gate stations?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe railway company have informed me that they propose next year to reopen Deptford Station in connection with the introduction of electrical services. As regards the remaining closed stations, the question of reopening them has, as the right hon. Member is aware, been carefully considered on previous occasions, and in all the circumstances I do not feel that I250W can press the railway company to alter their decision. As regards the last part of the question, I understand that the railway company propose to carry out improvements at New Cross costing about £9,000; and, although in consequence of the numerous works already in hand they have been obliged to postpone consideration of effecting improvements at New Cross Gate, sight will not be lost of the desirability of carrying out such improvements.