Sir HOWELL DAVIESasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware-that the members of the special events staff at Bristol are required to travel to race meetings, etc., by excursion trains; and whether, having regard to the many undesirable features connected with this, means of travelling and to the objections of the staff concerned, he will provide means of travelling in future by the ordinary passenger trains?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is not unusual to require the staff to travel by special trains run in connection with race meetings. For the Newbury Race Meeting the railway company provided an excursion train from Bristol, arriving at Newbury at the time at which the services of the Bristol staff were required, and that staff was accordingly instructed to take advantage of the special train service. I do-not think reasonable objection can be taken to this arrangement; and I cannot undertake to issue instructions that special train services are not to be taken advantage of in future.