§ 25. Sir T. BRAMSDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the withdrawal of the Government subsidy to the railway companies and the refusal of the Railway Clearing House to afford cheap travelling facilities to petty officers and men of the naval service, ratings proceeding on Easter leave will be permitted to make their own travelling arrangements and be allowed to proceed to the railway stations individually instead of being marched there in bodies as heretofore?
§ Mr. AMERYAs the result of long experience, it has been found that when large numbers of men are proceeding on leave from the naval ports on the same day it is generally in the interest of the railway officials, the public and the men themselves, that some special arrange- 1313 ments should be made for getting the men to the railway stations. These arrangements are left to the discretion of the local senior naval officer. I may add that the railway companies have been asked whether they can arrange 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.