§ 53. Mr. O. LEWISasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount that he anticipates would be saved during the fiscal year 1931–32 if provision were made for Members of the House to travel between London and their constituencies third-class instead of first-class?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 17th February to the hon. and gallant Member for Gains-borough (Captain Crookshank).
§ Mr. LEWISWill the hon. Member seriously consider the desirability of recommending this alteration to the House as a temporary measure, on the ground that it will be a demonstration of the sincerity of the desire of this House for public economy?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEWe had a long Debate on this question the other day, and I do not feel inclined in answer to a question to add to what was then said.
§ Mr. OLDFIELDIs it not a fact that this rather unworthy agitation springs entirely from certain hon. Members who are quite wealthy enough to pay the difference between first and third-class fares?
Mr. ERNEST WINTERTONCan the hon. Member tell us how many Members have voluntarily relinquished the claims on the fares fund and paid their own expenses?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI could not give that information without notice, and then I should have to consider whether it was desirable to give it.
§ Mr. R. A. TAYLORIs there anything to prevent any sincere Member from travelling third-class, and how many have done so?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEIt has already been said that there is nothing to prevent any Member travelling third-class if he chooses to do so.
§ Mr. TAYLORAre there third-class carriages on the trains to Gainsborough?