§ 52. Mr. FELLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he proposes to put any restrictions on the volume of travel on the railway lines at the present time such as are in force on the railways in the other countries involved in the War; and if steps will be taken to induce people to economise in travel as well as in other directions and save the amount of labour and coal involved?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Pretyman)As stated on Tuesday, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for New-castle-under-Lyme, passenger services have already been considerably reduced, and further reductions may be necessary later on.
§ Mr. FELLIs not the question whether considerable restrictions could not be made actually on the people travelling themselves, and is there not a number of railway journeys that are totally unnecessary?
§ Mr. W. THORNEHas the hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of cutting down the tremendous amount of individual luggage that is carried about at present?
§ Mr. PRETYMANSome restrictions have already been imposed.
§ Commander WEDGWOODHave not the railway companies dealing with the North and the Midlands cut down passenger traffic by a far larger percentage than the companies in the South and South-West?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThere may be something in that. I shall call the attention of the Managing Committee to that point.
§ Sir E. CORNWALLAre the railway companies still advertising for business?