§ 4. Sir ARTHUR FELLasked the President of the Board of Trade why the price of a third-class season ticket from Yarmouth to Norwich has been raised 71 per cent. or from £2 6s. per. quarter to £3 18s. 9d. per quarter, instead of the 20 per cent. stated in the Order; and why the railway company cannot continue to issue the tickets on the same conditions with the 20 per cent. increase only added?
Sir A. STANLEYI understand that the Great Eastern Railway Company have now arranged to issue such season tickets as those referred to at the rates previously charged, subject to the 20 per cent. in crease only.
§ 6. Mr. ALBION RICHARDSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that it is not clear that the new Regulations relating to the issue of season tickets given to men who were serving in the Army and Navy prior to the 1st January, 1917, and who have since been, or who are hereafter, discharged there from, the same rights of obtaining season tickets in the districts in which they live as they would have had if they had been season-ticket holders in such districts prior to the 1st January, 1917, he will forthwith issue an Instruction to the railway companies making it clear that it is the intention of the Government that such discharged men shall have such rights?
§ 7. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can arrange with the Railway Executive Com- 1203 mittee that the facilities which have been extended to certain season tickets by allowing their use on two or three competing systems in the same town or district shall be applied to all season tickets in the country where there are competing lines or systems, in order to facilitate travelling while the present shortage of train services exists?
Sir A. STANLEYI will bring the hon. Gentleman's suggestion to the notice of the Railway Executive Committee, but I may remind him that arrangements already exist under which, when the necessity arises on account of previous reduction of train services, the availability of season tickets may be extended.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSCould not the principle which has been adopted in some cases be applied all round, in view of the shortage of trains and the enormous delay some men have to suffer through not being able to travel by another route?
Sir A. STANLEYIf my hon. Friend will bring to my notice any case where it is desirable and where it is not done, I will be glad to consider it.
Sir A. STANLEYI am afraid that it could not be made completely general. There are certain exceptions which must be guarded, but, apart from that, I believe it is general.
§ 47. Mr. BOWERMANasked the Prime Minister whether he has received from municipal and other representative bodies resolutions indicating the feeling created by the action of the Railway Executive Committee in increasing the fares payable by season-ticket holders; whether he is aware that hardship has thereby been inflicted upon many thousands of business men, women, and young persons who must of necessity continue to travel to and from their work by train; and whether the representations made to him upon the subject will be considered, with a view to the railway companies reverting to their former scale of charges for season tickets?
Sir A. STANLEYThe Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question Resolutions of the nature referred to have been received, but, while I greatly regret any hardship which an increase in the price 1204 of season tickets may involve, I fear that, for the reasons that I have already explained to the House, the increase is necessary.
§ Mr. BOWERMANWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation?
Sir A. STANLEYI never make it a practice to refuse to see deputations, and I do not think I can refuse to see a deputation on this matter. I have agreed to receive a deputation from Southend tomorrow, but I am afraid the answer I have given to-day must be really final.