HC Deb 26 May 1943 vol 389 cc1558-9
22. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that certain railway companies, especially in the London area, discriminate against non-manual workers in issuing travel tickets at lower rates on the false assumption that they receive higher wages than manual, workers; and whether he will take action to remove this anomaly?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Workmen's tickets were originally intended only for artisans, mechanics, and labourers who travelled in the early morning hours; they are now issued to everyone who travels before a certain hour. They have also been extended to artisans, mechanics and labourers who are employed on shift turns of duty, and who must, therefore, travel outside the normal hours of issue. Some other concessions have also been made, but it has been decided, after mature consideration, that any general extension outside the normal hours would be both impracticable and undesirable. My hon. Friend will see that the respective rates of wages earned by different categories of passengers have nothing to do with the limitations imposed on the issue of workmen's tickets.

Mr. Davies

Will the hon. Member bear in mind that when these cheap tickets were first issued it was on the assumption that non-manual workers were better off than manual workers, and now that the position is very nearly reversed could we not have a universal system on the railways which would meet the problem?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I am well aware that this whole matter is full of anomalies, which arise out of a history extending over more than 70 years. I have given the fullest possible consideration to the matter, I have seen many deputations on the subject, and I think I have been able to satisfy them that it is impracticable to make changes in war-time and that the changes, if made, would bring more harm than good.