§ 90. Mr. CLOUGHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will refer to the Railway Executive the appeal of the commercial travellers of the country for the restoration of week-end facilities, even at the higher fares; and whether he is aware that, as matters now stand, commercial travellers, to see their families at the week-end, have often to pay fully 200 per cent. more than in pre-war days?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThis matter has already been fully considered, but it has not been found practicable, in present circumstances, to resume the issue of any class of special week-end ticket.
§ Mr. CLOUGHAm I to believe that it is the settled policy of the authorities to make commercial travellers pay 200 per cent. advance on pre-war rates, whilst ordinary passengers are only called upon to pay 50 per cent. increase? If so, how can that be justified?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am not aware how the hon. Gentleman arrives at his figures of 200 per cent. If he will give me them in greater detail I shall be glad to submit them to the Railway Executive Committee.