53. Major NEWMANasked whether the 50 per cent. increase in railway fares for passenger traffic and corresponding increases in season tickets was imposed as a war-time emergency measure to check civilian travelling; and is he able to give an assurance that with the signing of peace a reduction of railway fares will take place?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Bridge-man)The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. It is the case that increased railway fares were brought into operation primarily with the object of checking unnecessary civilian travelling, but although this is not now to the same extent an essential consideration, the general position of the railways, as I have explained in previous replies on the subject, precludes the hope of any early reduction of fares.
Major NEWMANWill the Board of Trade make a difference between pleasure travelling and necessity-travelling?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThat question has been answered several times on the subject of cheap fares.