§ Mr. D. HERBERT(by Private Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal what course it is proposed to adopt in view of the decision of the Committee of Supply as to travelling facilities for Members of Parliament, in regard to railway vouchers outstanding in the possession of Members, or hitherto used by them, and in regard to season tickets handed in by Members for surrender?
§ Commander BELLAIRS(by Private Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal, in view of the decision of the Committee, what steps the Government has taken to cancel the vouchers already issued to Members for railway tickets?
§ Mr. LUNN(by Private Notice) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of the result of yesterday's Division, he can state what arrangements will be made in the case of those Members who have relinquished their railway season tickets to the authorities of the House, and who desire to travel home this week-end?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Leader of the House)In view of the decision to which the House came yesterday, the use of vouchers must, of course, cease at once, and Members who have unused vouchers in their possession are requested to return them to the authorities of the House. With regard to the case of 1247 Members who have surrendered season tickets, I have made some inquiries in such time as was available, and I am advised that their case will be most conveniently met by their collecting the amount from the railway company, and then taking out new season tickets on their own account, current from the date of issue.
§ Mr. LUNNMay I have an answer to my question, which asks what Members are to do who are desiring to return home, say, to-morrow?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThey must take their tickets in the ordinary way. If an hon. Member held a season ticket, and surrendered it, and has received the money for it he is in a position to take out a new season ticket, and in the meantime he must take a ticket in the ordinary way. If he has surrendered his ticket, and has not yet received the refund, I am advised that the most convenient practice—some inconvenience, of course, cannot be avoided in the circumstances—will be that he should obtain his refund, and then take out his new season ticket should he wish.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that railway companies are not supposed to refund for a ticket taken out if you are not in possession of your pass or season ticket when travelling? Will that occur if some of us take out tickets to-morrow?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir. If an hon. Member has surrendered his ticket, and has been using a voucher, he has the advantage of what is past, unless the House should insist on that money being reclaimed from him, which I hope the House will not do. He will be at the disadvantage that, instead of having his season ticket to-morrow, he will have to take an ordinary return ticket until he can get a new season ticket. That will be the extent of the disadvantage.
§ Mr. STANTONWhat will happen in the case of Members who naturally would have used their voucher to obtain a return ticket to get back home? What about their circumstances, supposing that they cannot afford to get back home?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINA Member will be no worse off than he was before it was proposed to introduce the measure of relief of which the House yesterday disapproved. My duty, with my col- 1248 leagues, is to execute as closely and as rapidly as we can the decision of the House, and I am trying to do that with the least inconvenience to Members whose arrangements have been interrupted on the supposition that the policy of the House was going to be different. I am sorry that there must be some inconvenience, but I believe the arrangement I have suggested involves the minimum of inconvenience, and the most rapid compliance with the decision of the House.
§ Mr. STANTONSurely the right hon. Gentleman can make it convenient for Members to get back home and start afresh next week if they want to do so?
§ Mr. FRANCEWould it not be wise to get the consent of the House at the beginning before undertaking expenditure of any kind?
§ Major M. WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of making a return of those Members who used the vouchers, and then voted against them?