§ 47. Mr. Sparksasked the Minister of Labour, in view of the announced restriction of summer services upon the railways, if he will refer to his Staggered Holidays Committee the question of workpeople and managements arranging holidays this summer from mid-week to mid-week and hotels and boarding-house establishments to arrange mid-week to mid0-week bookings in order that travel congestion might be reduced to a minimum.
§ The Minister of Labour (Mr. Isaacs)This question has already been discussed with members of the committee from time to time, but such arrangements could not be enforced, and I do not think that any practical purpose would be served by asking the Standing Committee to consider the point further now. People have to a great extent already planned their holiday dates for 1947.
§ Mr. SparksIs my right hon. Friend aware that last year there was considerable congestion on the railways during 1398 the holiday period and in view of the reduction by 10 per cent, this year, unless something of this nature is established, congestion on the railways this summer will be appalling? Will my right hon. Friend look into the matter again, because it is very serious and needs reconsideration?
§ Mr. IsaacsOn the other hand, one has to bear in mind what confusion would arise for industrial establishments if there was to be a break in the middle of the week for some, and at the end of the week for others. After consideration, we do not think such a scheme would be practicable.