HL Deb 07 September 1939 vol 114 cc1035-6

3.55 p.m.

LORD MARLEY asked His Majesty's Government whether they will make arrangements with the London Passenger Transport Board whereby workmen's tickets will be available at a later hour, in cases when persons are prevented, owing to A.R.P. warnings, from being at their suburban stations by the hour up to which workmen's tickets are normally available.

The noble Lord said: My Lords, I ventured to put down a Question on the Order Paper which deals with the conditions concerning many tens of thousands of people who come into London to work every day, both men and women. They are accustomed, provided they arrive at the barrier of their suburban station by a certain time, to receive railway return tickets at a reduced rate. Yesterday, owing to the provision of air-raid precautions, tens of thousands of people were not able to reach the barrier by the time named and accordingly they were compelled to pay the ordinary return fare, amounting to a very considerable sum for people of very low income. As it is very important that large numbers of people should not feel that they have suffered an injustice due to no fault of their own, during the emergencies under which we are living, I ventured to put down the Question which stands in my name and I hope the Government will be able to take steps to secure a revision of the present rather hard regulations.

THE EARL OF LUCAN

My Lords, I am very glad that my noble friend has asked that question. I am also very glad to tell him that my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport is in communication with the Railway Executive Committee, who are now the responsible body in this matter, and I shall be very happy to let the noble Lord know the outcome as soon as possible. I may say that I understand that the Railway Executive Committee had this matter before them yesterday and that they are going to make a decision to-day. I shall be very glad to let the noble Lord know what the result is.

LORD MARLEY

I am very much obliged to the noble Earl for his sympathetic answer.

House adjourned during pleasure.

House resumed.