§ Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the refusal to renew season tickets on railways and the delay in announcing the conditions under which season ticket holders will be allowed to travel in future, great confusion and difficulties are arising; and whether any early decision on the issue of season tickets will be made?
Sir A. STANLEYThere will be no avoidable delay in dealing with this matter which involves considerations of some complexity.
§ Major TRYONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any communication from the Brighton, Hove, Worthing, and District Season Ticket-holders' Association with reference to passenger traffic on the Brighton line; whether he is aware that the association, representing a large body of season ticket-holders, earnestly deprecates any increase in the present season-ticket rates on the ground that it would inflict hardship on business men and employés of London firms who have fixed their residence, relying on a continuance of the present rates, and that the associa- 1827W tion contend that such an increase would not strike at the cause of the present congestion, which is due to a great influx of strangers, many of whom would not be deterred from travel by a higher rate; and whether he will consider a scheme of travel permits based on business needs, which the association is prepared to submit to him?
Sir A. STANLEYI have received communications from the association on this matter, and have arranged for a representative of the Board of Trade to see representatives of the association early next week.