HC Deb 08 July 1946 vol 425 cc13-4
9. Mr. Douglas Marshall

asked the Minister of Transport for what reason Government officials have priority for sleeping berths on trains now that the war is over; and whether he will forthwith issue instructions that such preference is to be terminated.

Mr. Barnes

In view of the heavy demand for sleeping berths it is still necessary to reserve a small number for persons travelling on urgent business of national importance where the journey must be made at night. Only 25 per cent. of all first-class and eight per cent. of all third-class berths are now so reserved. Of these reserved berths, during a recent period, 68 per cent. were allocated to business men, 14 per cent. to Members of Parliament, 10 per cent. to the Services and eight per cent. to civil servants. Only a limited number of senior civil servants are eligible for these reserved berths.

Mr. Keeling

Will the Minister say why it is more important for Government officials to have reservations than, for example, business people engaged in the export drive?

Mr. Barnes

It does not follow that a good percentage of the 68 per cent. which represents allocations to business men were not given to business men engaged in the export trade.

Mr. Keeling

Will they have priority?

Mr. Barnes

These percentages are the priority, and 68 per cent. of the 25 per cent. of reserved berths are allocated to the businessmen to whom the hon. Member refers.

Viscount Hinchingbrookc

Are any persons considered nationally important now who were not considered so, during the war, and if so, who are they?