Season Tickets (Hansard, 2 February 1948)

§ 7. Mr. Skeffington-Lodge
asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the large number of season-ticket holders who do not travel more than five or six days a week, he will arrange for a revision of the cost of long-period tickets which will take this fact into account.

§ Mr. Barnes
I assume that my hon. Friend's Question relates to season tickets on the railways of the British Transport Commission. The matter is one for the 1448 Commission, to whom I am sending a copy of the Question.

§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaite
Is this not a matter of national importance on which a question can properly be asked of the Minister?

§ Mr. Barnes
the hon. and gallant Gentleman, who was a member of the Committee which considered the Measure, knows very well that it is not the intention, now that the organisation is set up, for the Minister to interfere with its day-to-day operations.

§ Lieut.-Commander Braithwaite
On the contrary, does not the right hon. Gentleman recall that during the Committee stage he gave an undertaking that he was going to be forthcoming on these matters, and that on that understanding he obtained the Clause?

§ Mr. Barnes
I also recall that Members opposite were very doubtful about the Minister's capacity to do all these things.

§ Mr. Skeffington-Lodge
Will my right hon. Friend at least make representations to the Transport Commission on the lines I suggest, and use his influence to help?

§ Mr. Barnes
No, Sir, I do not think that I can exercise my position as Minister to influence the day-to-day management decisions of the Commission. The powers of the Minister are clearly defined in the Statute.

§ Sir Waldron Smithers
On a point of Order. Is it not possible for you, Mr. Speaker, to protect Members of the House when they are asking for information about nationalised industries—for instance, the B.B.C. and transport, gas and electricity undertakings? It will be a dreadful business if we cannot ask Questions about the administration of the nationalised railways.

§ Mr. Speaker
That is not a matter which lies within my province in the slightest.