HC Deb 04 October 1939 vol 351 cc1934-6
29. Sir Harold Webbe

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the difficulties which London shopkeepers have in carrying on their businesses under present conditions; and whether he will impress upon the London Passenger Transport Board and the main line railway companies the urgent importance of improving morning and evening transport facilities for the workers engaged in these businesses; and of restoring cheap daily tickets, available outside the rush hours, for shoppers from the suburbs and from places near London?

35. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many working-class passengers need to travel from Leyton and its neighbourhood to the City during times when cheap fares were available until recently; and that in view of the withdrawal of lower fares they have to pay the higher fare; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living and the fact that these passengers cannot avoid travelling, he will see that these lower fares are re-instituted?

Captain Wallace

The London Passenger Transport Board and the main line railway companies are doing their best to provide as adequate a service as is possible in existing conditions for workers proceeding to and from their work in London. The board have not withdrawn cheap day tickets on their railways, and the railway companies propose to re-introduce regular cheap day tickets in London and the Provinces next Monday. In the London area cheap day tickets to London will only be available by trains leaving the departure stations after 10 a.m. On the return journey from London the tickets will not permit the holder to travel on trains departing between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays inclusive. These restrictions in the London area are necessary to prevent additional congestion at the rush hours.

Mr. Sorensen

While thanking the right hon. and gallant Gentleman for that reply. which I am sure will encourage many of my constituents and those of other hon. Members, may I ask whether the hours from 4 to 7 in the evening could not be modified? Is it not rather too long a time?

Captain Wallace

I have consulted very carefully with the Railway Executive Committee about this matter, and I think the hon. Member will see that it is most important that this additional facility should not add to existing congestion at the rush hours, and I am informed that at present the rush hours come somewhat earlier than in peace time; but this is a point that I am prepared to keep under review and to ask the railways to modify if necessary.