HC Deb 01 July 1936 vol 314 cc391-2
44. Mrs. TATE

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the Government have guaranteed a loan of £26,500,000 to the railways for the modernisation of their lines, pressure will be brought to hear upon them to ensue that they will not in future prevent the sale of tickets for air lines other than railway air lines at travel agencies in this country?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

The terms of the agreement to which the hon. lady refers were settled and approved by Parliament last year.

Mrs. TATE

In view of the fact that it is not possible for a citizen of this country to book a ticket, for instance to Denmark, on a British air line other than a subsidised line, while it is possible for him to book on a foreign line, is it not time that some Department looked into this extraordinary state of affairs?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

That may or may not be the case, hut it is a domestic matter for the railway agencies. If they want to sell aeroplane tickets or motor coach tickets, they can do so by arrangement, but it is not for the Government to impose conditions on them.

Sir PERCY HARRIS

Is it right that tourist agencies should limit the facilities of travel for the public to particular lines; and would the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the railway companies to prevent blackmail of that sort?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I do not think it would facilitate any negotiations which I might undertake with the railway companies if I were to begin by accusing them of blackmail.

Mrs. TATE

In view of the fact that when I address a question on this subject to the Secretary of State for Air, I am told that it is a matter for the railways, and when I address it to the railways, I am told it is nobody's business, can I be informed which Department I am to approach on the matter?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have tried to make it clear that the agencies of the railway companies are private concerns and can sell railway tickets or any other kind of tickets by arrangement. They are under no compulsion to sell any particular kind of tickets, any more than an air line agency would be under compulsion to sell railway tickets, and the Government cannot impose compulsion on them.