§ 67. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Minister of Transport what is the reason for continuing the system of reserving sleeping-cars for Government-sponsored passengers in peace time.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)The number of travellers requiring sleeping berths is considerably in excess of those available. Limited numbers are, therefore, reserved on certain routes for Ministers, Members of Parliament, businessmen and others who are travelling at short notice on important national business, and who are not free to travel by day.
§ Sir T. MooreWhen is the ordinary citizen, not the very important person, who is engaged on his normal lawful activities to get back his ordinary rights. of which this is one?
§ Mr. BarnesI have given figures to the House on previous occasions to indicate that only 6 per cent. of the third-class berths are now reserved, and 22 per cent. of the first-class berths are on certain routes. Of the first-class berths, 64 per cent. of the reservations are taken up by business and professional people