68. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Transport if any persons on the staff of, or connected with, the Ministry of Transport have been granted the privilege of free railway travelling facilities; and, if so, will he state the number of such persons, their names, and the positions they occupy in the Ministry?.
§ Sir E. GEDDESAfter railways were taken over by the State the President of the Board of Trade held passes over all railways, and a certain number of passes were held by officials. Inasmuch as I regarded this as desirable, I arranged that passes over the principal railways should be held by ten senior officials. Passes have also been provided for the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary, who decided that under existing conditions they would not use them, but pay their fares in the ordinary way. The passes have, therefore, not been issued to them.
Sir F. HALLCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is in consequence of this question that neither the right hon. Gentleman nor the Parliamentary Secretary are going to use passes for which they had previously asked?
§ Sir E. GEDDESNo, Sir. The decision was taken some months ago that the Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary would not use the passes. In fact, I was arrested at Sheffield Station barrier on Friday because I had mislaid my ticket and at that time had not heard of the hon. and gallant Member's question.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill this inroad on the right hon. Gentleman's pocket for these travelling expenses prevent him from going to various parts of the country to see the chaotic condition of his Ministry?
§ Sir E. GEDDESBecause originally, when the railways were controlled, the President of the Board of Trade had a pass, and it was thought quite proper and in order that when the Government controlled the railways these passes should be provided.
§ Sir E. GEDDESI should be glad to send the names to the hon. Member.
Mr. PALMERWhy does not the right hon. Gentleman order a special train, as he did when he was First Lord of the Admiralty?
§ Sir E. GEDDESNo, Sir. I never ordered a special train.
§ 73. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Minister of Transport if he will state why railway workers, who have just had a further advance in their recently-increased wages, are still allowed free railway passes for themselves and their families when on holiday, in view of his statement that the losses being incurred on the working of the railways would not allow the resumption of cheap holiday tickets for the general public?
§ Sir E. GEDDESCertain privileges in regard to cheap travel have long been recognised as part of the conditions of service of railway workers, and in view of the temporary relationship existing between the railways and the Government, the matter could not conveniently now be brought under review.
§ Mr. BILLINGAre we to understand that directors and workmen and their families are allowed to use the railways free of charge?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe conditions as regards free passes for railway employés and directors have not been altered so far as I know.
§ Mr. WATERSONAre not these facilities part of the conditions of service, and 998 can the right hon. Gentleman say what difference there is between the ordinary individual in the service having a pass and a director having one enabling him to travel anywhere and on any company's lines?