§ 67. Mr. Cassellsasked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statement to make in connection with his negotiations with railway companies as to Common Law liability in cheap daily travel tickets?
§ 68. Mr. R. Gibsonasked the Minister of Transport whether his conversations with the railway companies regarding their immunity from liability to holders of cheap tickets have now reached a satisfactory conclusion; and whether he will make a statement on the subject?
§ Mr. BurginThe four main line railway companies have informed me that they will not in future seek to exempt themselves by special contract from their liability at Common Law in respect of injury, fatal or otherwise, to passengers (other than those holding privilege tickets or free passes) when travelling in the companies' trains or whilst in the act of entering, or alighting from, such trains. Where in the case of passengers holding workmen's tickets who may be injured in such circumstances the railway companies' liability at Common Law is limited by Special Act, the railway companies will not plead such limitation. The conditions of issue of cheap day, half-day and evening tickets and workmen's tickets will be amended accordingly in due course, and meanwhile I am happy to say that the companies have decided to apply these concessions to accidents which occurred on or after 1st December, 1937.
§ Mr. CassellsIs it to be understood that this principle will likewise apply to all cheap excursion tickets?
§ Mr. BurginI would prefer that the answer should be taken exactly at its face value. If there is any further matter, perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question down. The railway companies have very handsomely dealt with the point which was raised, and I do not want in an answer to a supplementary question to go beyond what I am quite sure of being able to implement.