HC Deb 11 December 1935 vol 307 cc908-9
61. Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Transport whether the remission of railway passenger duty under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, is still in operation; and, if so, whether he can state the amount of remission duty paid by the various railway companies for the past three years to the nearest available date?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Railway passenger duty ceased to be chargeable by virtue of the Finance Act, 1929. The railway companies then undertook to expend upon a special programme of works sums based upon the capitalised value of the duties remitted.

Mr. THORNE

Seeing that the railway companies have received this concession, will he try to persuade them to issue workmen's tickets until 8 o'clock in the morning?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I do not quite see the point of the hon. Member's question. The duty was remitted and the sums were or are being spent on capital works.

Mr. THORNE

Is not that a concession and, therefore, will he not try to persuade the railway companies to issue workmen's tickets until 8 o'clock?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The railway companies spend the money on capital works.

Mr. THURTLE

Is it not a fact that the railway companies have got this capital on which there is no charge, that is, that they pay no dividend upon it, and does not that mean that they have had a real concession?