§ 84. Mr. MYERSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether over the railways of the United Kingdom for the years 1919 and 1920 approximately 12 seats were provided for first-class passengers to every six journeys which were taken; that in respect of third-class passengers only 83 scats were provided for every 90 journeys made; and whether, having regard to the heavy decrease in first-class passengers and the increase in the number of third-class travellers, he will make such representations to the railway companies as will ensure a re-adjustment of the accommodation available, with a view to providing adequate facilities for the actual users of the railways, and obviate the waste of effort and expense involved in the continuous hauling over the country of first-class rolling stock which is not being utilised?
§ Mr. NEALThe hon. Member appears to base his statement upon the proportions of seating accommodation in existence and passenger journeys taken for first- and third-class passengers respectively, but as the average distance travelled by first-class passengers is greater than that travelled by third-class passengers, the seating accommodation required 612 is also greater. There is, however, no information to show the percentage of seats occupied in first- and third-class compartments respectively. The proportion of first-class passengers is greater than during the years immediately preceding the War, and the decline in traffic in 1921 shows, so far as figures are available, very little alteration in the recent ratio.