§ 31. Mr. T. DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received communications from the Mablethorpe Urban District Council and from other local authorities on the East Coast pointing out the seriousness and distress likely to result from the withdrawal of the issue of tourist tickets from the industrial centres in the Midlands and the North to these places of resort; is he aware that by continuing the facilities granted last year it will not mean any increase in the number of trains run, all the difference made being that on certain days the trains will be full instead of half empty; and, in view of the hardship already suffered by lodging-house keepers and others owing to the War in these districts, will he consider their petition favourably and allow the railway companies to grant this concession?
Mr. RUNCIMANI have received communications to the effect mentioned, and the question whether any modification could be made in the recent decision to suspend the issue of tourist tickets has been put before the Railway Executive Committee. I understand, however, that, in the present conditions of transport, it is improbable that the Committee will find it practicable to take steps in this direction.