THIRD-CLASS SLEEPING CARS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 12 April 1928, Page 8

THIRD-CLASS SLEEPING CARS

C0T.1..1 PSII'.I.F. HUNKS IN TRAINS lu tlic- House of Commons recently, Colonel Applin, the Conservative member for Enfield, asked leave to introduce a hill “to provide lying-down accommodation on riigln, journeys in third class railway carriages.” Colonel Applin said that anyone who had made the journey from London to the North at night in a third class eftnpartment must he aware of the great discomfort of sitting up at night in a crowded carriage. Notwithstanding that we were the pioneers of Ihe railway, we were the only nation in the world which had not got lying down third class accoininudation. Even Latvia pro vided such uccu.inundation. 'I here bail hetMi objection to anything in the form of a third class sleeping car. and that was not proposed by the bill. The ordinary third class passenger did not want to go to bed on the train—(laughter) —but lie did want to lie down in comfort with a pillow and a. rug. (Cheers).

Jlis bill provided that every long-dis-tance passenger train on which first class sleeping accommodation was provided should have at least 20 per cent, of its third class compartments fitted with lying down accommodation for four persons in each compartment. Each third class compartment so fitted must be provided nu each side with a collapsible bunk—(laughter)—which could bo folded back by day, and which when loweied must lie sufficiently high to enable one to sit- upright on the seat below. (Laughter). Where existing compartments could not be conveniently provided with bunks, removable stretchers carrying a mattress —(laughter)—might be fixed on brackets above tlm scat. (Renewed laughter). A charge of five shillings per person might be made in addition to the authorised fare, and no) more than four persons were to be allowed to occupy any such compartment. Passengers bolding lying-down tickets—(laughter)—must not lie disturbed for the purpose of ticket inspection. (Loud laughter). Tn spite of the amusement- the bill bad caused to the House, added Colonel Applin. lie was certain its provisions would be a, great- boon to those who could not pay for first class accommodation, and it would not hurl the railway companies. It, would not cost more than £6O to fit folding bunks to a compartment, and if only half tlm compartments were occupied for 300 days in a year, the railway company would make a profit of £l4O. Leave having been given, the Speaker put the formal question. “Who will prepare to bring in 'be bill? 'I here were again loud dicers and laughter when instead of reading the customary string of names of members backing tlm bill. Colonel .Applin merely announced bis own name. lie received a tint her ovation as, smiling and bowing, lm brought "his bill from the bar to the table.