§ 68. Sir JOHN FLEMINGasked the President of the Board of Trade, seeing that all the railways of the country are. now under Government control, if he will give orders that the privilege hitherto enjoyed by the 500 or more railway directors of the United Kingdom of unrestricted travelling over all railway systems first-class, without payment of fares, be now withdrawn, and thus ease the prevailing congestion as regards seating accommodation as well as add to the railway revenues?
Sir A. STANLEYI have no reason to suppose that the issue of free passes to railway directors results in any abuse of travelling facilities, and it does not seem to me that a departure from the existing practice would lead to the result which the hon. Member desires to attain.
§ Sir J. FLEMINGIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the price of the privilege tickets given to railway employes, not for free travelling, but for reduced travelling for specific objects, have been raised 50 per cent. since the War began; does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this special body, whose fees have not been reduced, and who have no work to do, should also share in the increase of fares?
Sir A. STANLEYI quite agree that the special privilege tickets which are given to the employes of railway companies have been increased by 50 per cent. during the War; out I would remind the hon. Gentle- 1743 man that the amount paid by railway employes is considerably less than that paid by other classes of the travelling public. As regards the duties performed by railway directors, I am not in agreement that they have no work to do at this particular time.
§ Mr. WATTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that commercial men are precluded from travelling because the berths are taken up by directors?