§ 31. Mr. Tinkerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has any statement to make respecting first-class and third-class railway travelling so as to remove the distinction between the two which is causing trouble and inconvenience at the present time and preventing the full use of seating accommodation?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMy hon. Friend is, no doubt, aware that first-class accommodation has been withdrawn in many areas for short-distance travel. The reasons for its maintenance on long-distance trains still hold good. On the whole, I consider that the present arrangements are working well, and I have not received any evidence which supports my hon. Friend's suggestion that full use is not being made of the available seating accommodation on the trains.
§ Mr. TinkerMy hon. Friend's experience is not like mine. I travel pretty frequently to and from London and I see the difference between first and third-class compartments. If the first-class accommodation was fully utilised one could agree with my hon. Friend but it is not.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIf my hon. Friend can send me evidence of the non-utilisation of any first-class accommodation I will have it looked into. It is a very difficult matter but I think that in very difficult circumstances the railway staff are doing pretty well.
Viscountess AstorWhen I have taken a first-class ticket I have never travelled with less than six or eight people, sometimes 10, in the compartment, and the first-class accommodation has been fully used.