§ 58. Mr. Sorensenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will consider granting to parents of evacuated children a more frequent reduction in fares to see their 1956 children than once in two months; and whether reduced day fares on railways are likely to be restored in the near future.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIt is expected that the traffic during the coming winter will impose a heavy strain on the railways. I regret, therefore, that I should not feel justified in agreeing either to the restoration of cheap day fares, or to an increase in journeys at reduced fares, even for parents visiting their evacuated children.
§ Mr. SorensenIs my hon. Friend aware that many of these parents do see their children so that, if they were granted these facilities, they would not travel more but would have a little assistance to their pockets?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerLong experience has shown us that reduced fares encourage travelling. They mean extra passengers, and we cannot afford to have any more.