14. Lieut. - Colonel W. GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for War whether the Army when not travelling on duty can still obtain railway tickets at a rate of only one-third of that payable by the general public; whether this concession only dates from the time of the War; whether in the last month for which returns are available it was shown to be adding to the railway deficit at the rate of £1,896,000 per annum; and whether, in view of the urgent need of national economy, he will now return to the pre-war arrangement under which the Army when not on duty paid the same railway fares as members of the general public?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONThe hon. and gallant Member is misinformed as to prewar arrangements. Officers proceeding on leave from certain military stations to London paid single fare for the double journey; other ranks proceeding to their homes on furlough could obtain concession vouchers on the same lines War concessions for leave-travelling cease on the 31st March, 1920. From the 1st April the railway companies, with the consent of the Ministry of Transport, have agreed to reintroduce pre-war arrangements as a traffic concession.
Captain COOTEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the issue of vouchers for railway tickets is being and has been considerably abused and can he not tighten up the regulations on the subject?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONYes, the War Office is aware that there has been abuse and that numbers of men in uniform have been seen at stations where it is very doubtful they had any right to be.
Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSWill the remaining privilege be limited to certain, stations as before the War?
§ Sir A. WILLIAMSONI should like notice of that.