17. Mr. Fraserasked the Minister of Labour whether Scottish girls directed to do war work in the south will be given free travel vouchers to their homes at the Christmas or New Year holiday period?
§ Mr. BevinNo, Sir. As explained in my reply to the hon. Member for Greenock (Mr. McNeil) on 30th April, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend, the scheme of travel vouchers at reduced rates only applies during the summer months. This restriction is necessitated by the heavy demands on the railways and is even greater now than when I made the announcement.
Mr. FraserWill not the Minister agree that these war workers who have been directed to work so far from their homes should have a prior claim to any travel facilities that there are on the railways?
§ Mr. BevinI have every sympathy with my hon. Friend, but there are many thousands who want to go home, and the railways are congested at this period of the year. It is a period when we have to move enormous quantities of stock and ammunition, and we could not relax the rule.
§ Mr. R. J. TaylorIs my right hon. Friend aware that the same problem exists in the North of England, where, because we have no factories, our girls have to travel right down into the south?
§ Mr. BevinYes, and I have explained already that I have done my best to see whether arrangements could be made, but the congestion is so much and the amount of stuff to be moved over Christmas is so heavy that we could not have extra trains put on.
Mr. FraserIs it not the congestion of passenger accommodation which makes it impossible for these workers to be given the opportunity to travel?
§ Mr. LipsonWill the right hon. Gentleman appeal to local authorities in areas where these girls are working that facilities should be provided for them?