§ Mr. THOMASasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that railway locomotive men and guards often experience difficulty, when working what is known as the double shift, in finding suitable lodgings where they can be provided with food, the difficulty arising partly out of the early closing of shops and partly because their allowance only permits them to lodge with working-class people, who, under existing conditions, find it impossible to purchase and store sufficient food; and whether, therefore, as President of the Railway Executive Committee, he will endeavour to have such arrangements made as will ensure food being provided for railwaymen whose duties take them away from their homes?
§ Mr. G. ROBERTSI understand that the difficulty to which my hon. Friend refers has occurred in a few localities, but that in many cases the railway companies concerned have been able to overcome it by taking action appropriate to the local conditions. I shall be happy to look into any other cases that may be brought to my notice.