HC Deb 24 July 1940 vol 363 cc796-7
36. Mr. Isaacs

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the existing circumstances of railway travel, he will make representations to the railway executive as to the desirability of following the example set on some railway-systems by the abolition of any distinction with respect to the class of seat?

The Minister of Transport (Sir John Reith)

I referred to certain aspects of this question in replies to Questions by my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampon (Mr. Mander) on 11th July and by my hon. Friend the Member for Holland with Boston (Mr. Butcher) on 12th June. This is a matter which the Railway Executive Committee assure me is subject to periodic consideration.

Mr. Isaacs

Would it be unreasonable to ask the Railway Executive, in view of the considerable inconvenience to third-class passengers, that first-class passengers should be prepared to give up some of their privileges?

Sir J. Reith

I should like to refer my hon. Friend to the Questions which I have already answered, one of which dealt with that particular point.

Mr. De la Bère

Is the Minister aware that certain ex-Cabinet Ministers have been in the habit of reserving compartments despite the fact that a train was unduly overcrowded?