§ 17. Mr. GRITTENasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will forthwith secure the reduction of the enhanced rates charged by railway companies for the carriage of cycles, seeing that such rates are oppressive, and often quite prohibitive in the cases of the poorer users of cycles; and if he will state why the Railway Executive Committee has declined to receive a deputation from the Cyclists' Touring Club, who have twice endeavoured to obtain the opportunity of laying before that committee the views of the cycling public and their protests against these increased rates?
§ Sir A. GEDDESI understand that the question of the revised charges introduced last March for conveyance of cycles by passenger train has been very carefully considered by the railway companies and I am afraid that in present circumstances I could not press them to make a reduction in the charges. I understand that the Railway Executive Committee informed the Cyclists' Touring Club that in view of the full consideration that had been given to the matter they did not think that there would be any advantage in receiving a deputation.
§ Mr. GRITTENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these charges on the part of British railways are grossly excessive, not only as compared with the charges before the War, but as compared 1890 with the charges in other countries; and in view of the fact that 5,000,000 people in this Kingdom are affected, can he see his way to make this concession, and as the summer holidays are now on will he make it quickly?
§ Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKER (Mr. Whitley)The hon. Member is asking the same question over again.