§ 13. Sir FRANCIS BLAKEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether 960 he can see his way to relieve parents living in rural districts, whose children go to school by rail daily or weekly, from the necessity of paying the increased fares, seeing that they are travelling by trains, which it has been decided to run and that their education is a national benefit?
Mr. ROBERTSThe claims of school children for exemption from the recent increase of railway fares have been considered very carefully; but, as stated in reply to previous questions in this House, it has not been found practicable, in present circumstances, to embark on a policy of concessions to particular classes or individuals. I would observe, however, that no increase has been made in the rates charged for season-tickets, and that the issue of such tickets to day scholars at half-rates has not been discontinued.