73. Mr. PALMERasked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of instituting third-class sleeping berths on British railways in the interests of that large section of the community who are unable to pay, in addition to the 50 per cent, increase in the ordinary fare, the first-class rate plus the added charge for the sleeping berth, which is also 50 per cent, above the pre-war figure?
§ Mr. NEALThe provision of third-class sleeping cars would involve the construction of additional rolling stock, and add so considerably to the weight to be hauled that it would probably involve the running of additional trains. The comparatively small number of passengers that can be accommodated in sleeping cars would, moreover, render it impossible to provide them at third-class fares without serious loss.