Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 18 October 1939.
Colonel Ralph Glyn
, Abingdon
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that efficient railway working for both goods and passenger traffic is seriously hampered by the stringent lighting restrictions which the railways are required to observe; that these restrictions increase the risks to railway employes engaged in shunting and similar work on the railways; and whether he is now in a position to indicate that, as a result of his consultations with the Minister of Home Security and the Secretary of State for Air, improved lighting facilities will be made available for railway working, on the understanding that all such lighting is capable of immediate extinction on receipt of an air raid warning?
Captain Euan Wallace
, Hornsey
As a result of the experiments to which I referred last week it has been found possible to improve the lighting in some yards. The experiments are continuing and, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, many yards need examination individually and some time is involved in obtaining and installing the necessary equipment. The Railway Executive Committee has been informed that consideration will be given to the possibility of allowing some additional intensity of lighting at points where, owing to the operations performed, the railway companies are satisfied that the standard at present allowed does not meet essential requirements. The scale of lighting approved in railway marshalling yards is already subject to the condition that it must be capable of immediate extinction on receipt of an air-raid warning.
Colonel Ralph Glyn
, Abingdon
Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman appreciate that with winter coming on and bad conditions there is added danger to those men who have to work in these yards?
Captain Euan Wallace
, Hornsey
I can only say that all these circumstances are very closely in my mind and in the mind of the Minister of Home Security.
Mr David Logan
, Liverpool Scotland
Do the restrictions also attach themselves to the question of passenger services? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on a train from Liverpool to Euston on Wednesday night there was a carriage fully illuminated and a cocktail party going on?
Captain Euan Wallace
, Hornsey
This question has to deal only with marshalling yards, and I cannot deal with the question of passenger train lighting about which there is another question on the Order Paper.
Mr Arthur Jenkins
, Pontypool
Have the trade unions been consulted on this matter?
Captain Euan Wallace
, Hornsey
It is the policy of His Majesty's Government to take every opportunity of consulting the trade unions.
Mr Benjamin Smith
, Bermondsey Rotherhithe
Is it not a fact that the trade unions were not consulted?
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