§ 39. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Transport how many persons were killed and how many injured by London Passenger Transport Board omnibuses, trolleybuses, tramcars and coaches, respectively, during the five months ended 30th June, 1940, compared with the five months ended 30th June, 1939?
§ Sir J. ReithAs the answer includes many figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Following is the answer:
I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that the numbers of fatal accidents and of non-fatal accidents involving personal injury in which their road vehicles were concerned during the periods from 29th January to 1st July, 1939, and from 28th January to 29th June, 1940, were respectively as follow:
Travellers Facilities, Limited, assist passengers in the purchase of season tickets by collecting weekly payments; that between 15 per cent. and 20 per cent-surcharge is made on tickets of juveniles compared with 12½ per cent. on those of adults for providing these facilities; and whether he will approach the Railway Executive Committee to provide such facilities direct and at a more reasonable rate, in view of the heavy burden imposed on many travellers by the recent increase in fares and the rise in the cost of living?
§ Sir J. ReithA number of concerns offer the facilities referred to, which consist, in effect, in advancing money to clients for the purchase of quarterly seasons instead of shorter term ones. I do not think there is a case for asking the railway companies to enter this field.
§ Mr. ParkerIs it not possible to ask the railway companies just to make a surcharge, of 10 per cent. for example, and to allow payment weekly, as there are many juveniles who cannot possibly find these sums in the whole quarter, owing to the smallness of their wages?
§ Sir J. ReithI understand the purport of the Question, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the railway companies normally issue weekly season tickets.