§ 95. Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Transport how many first-class sleeping berths for the week ending 10th January were occupied by senior civil servants; and how many by business and professional men travelling in the interests of the Government.
§ Mr. BarnesSeventy-four and 401 respectively, Sir; that is one per cent. and 5¼ per cent., respectively, of the total number of first-class berths available.
§ Mr. StokesBut can my right hon. Friend say why these people should have this advantage? If they travelled by day, would they have first-class seats reserved for them; and if they would not, why should they have sleeeping berths to the disadvantage of the rest of the travelling public?
§ Mr. BarnesI would inform my hon. Friend that from now on this matter will have to be reviewed, in view of the formation of the British Transport Commission.
§ Mr. StokesYes, but why should that make any difference? Whether the railways are publicly owned or privately owned, why should these people have privileges over the rest of the travelling public?
§ Mr. BarnesThis matter has been dealt with on more than one occasion.
§ Mr. StokesNot with satisfaction.
§ Mr. BarnesMy hon. Friend will be well aware that Members of Parliament also—
§ Mr. StokesNo.
§ Mr. BarnesYes—Members of Parliament also come under this arrangement, and it is owing to the existing shortage of sleeping berth accommodation. There is much less than there was before the war.
§ Mr. StokesBut is not the Minister aware that a Member of Parliament has the right to a reserved sleeper only to his own constituency, which is quite a different thing? These are just ordinary businessmen travelling in the ordinary course of duty. Why should they have any privileges?
§ Mr. MitchisonCan my right hon. Friend say how he recognises these people; and what tests are applied for so doing when they are travelling incognito?
§ Mr. BarnesThe tests are applied by the different Government Departments when these individuals are on definite Government business.