§ 88 and 89. Major Sir BERTRAM FALLEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether, in view of the fact that the railway companies can put on special trains at excursion fares for the public for race meetings and football matches, he will again press the companies to grant a similar concession to service men when proceeding on leave, seeing that ample notice would be given of the days when the men would travel and full particulars of numbers, etc.;
(2) whether the railway companies have yet replied to the Admiralty request that men proceeding on Easter leave in special leave trains may be allowed tickets at the excursion-fare rates as charged to the general public?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Amery)I regret to say that the railway companies have refused to grant any concession to men proceeding on Easter leave. I may add that the companies have been asked to a conference with representatives of the Service Departments to discuss the whole matter, in the hope that they will, on reconsideration, agree to the re-introduction of a concession which the Services enjoyed for many years before the War, especially in view of the recommendation of the Committee on National Expenditure, which included a large proportion of gentleman connected with railway management.
§ Sir B. FALLEDoes my hon. Friend mean that the railway companies have been asked to meet the Admiralty?
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for Devonport has a Motion on the Paper to reject the Railway Bill to-night unless these facilities are given?
§ Viscount CURZONCan the hon. Gentleman represent to the railway companies that the men at Rosyth, especially the married men, will be unable to take their Easter leave unless some concession be made?
§ Mr. AMERYWe have represented to the railway companies the great hardship involved to many of the men in being refused these facilities.