§ 27. Mr. MILLSasked the Prime Minister the names of the 270 Members who accepted railway passes; and whether he will consider the case of those Members who surrendered their season tickets when passes were issued, and are now compelled to pay until the end of June ordinary fares, and are thus worse off than before this concession was given?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe names of hon. Members who used the travelling facilities offered to them are not known to me, and I do not propose to inquire into them. As regards the last part of the question, I can add nothing to my previous answers. The business of the Government is to give effect to the decision of the House.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs it a fact that the right hon. Gentleman does not know the names of Members who received these passes?
§ Mr. KENNEDYHas not a record been kept of each of these railway warrants, and is it not an easy matter to ascertain to whom these warrants have been issued?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have no doubt that that is so. A record must have been kept by the accounting officer or the authorities of the House, but the names are not known to me, and I see no public purpose to be served by inquiring into them.
§ Mr. W. THORNEMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman could not or will not take the trouble to find out from the officers who issued these coupons the names of the individuals who have got them, and how many coupons each Member has used?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI do not propose to do that. I do not see what public purpose would be served by it. Perhaps it is my fault, but I am at a loss to understand the object of these questions. The Government suggested that certain facilities should be given to certain Members. These facilities were given to certain Members, who used these facilities in good faith. When the matter was discussed in the House the House decided that they should be discontinued, and they have been discontinued accordingly, and I cannot see what public purpose is served by inquiring into who used those facilities.
Mr. J. JONESIs it not a fact that a large number of those who were most strong in their opposition to these facilities being granted were the first to use them?