§ Mr. Magnayasked the Minister of Transport why he has not yet ordered the removal of the bars across the window frames of certain railway passenger trains, which are constructed of wood, in view of the peril to passengers in such trains who would be trapped in their compartments in the event of fire through enemy action or other cause; and will he treat this as an urgent matter seeing that these trains are frequently overcrowded?
§ Sir J. ReithThese bars exist only on certain suburban trains the carriages of which are of exceptional width. At some points on the lines the clearance is small and it is necessary to prevent passengers from leaning out of the windows and being injured. In the interests of safety generally I do not think it is desirable that the bars should be removed.