§ Captain R. GUINNESSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give figures showing the number of journeys taken on the railways by season ticket holders in the year following the date upon which ordinary fares were raised 50 per cent., and the number of such journeys in the year preceding that date?
Sir A. STANLEYA record of the number of journeys taken on the railways by season ticket holders is not kept, and it would be practically impossible to secure an exact record. I may mention that the total number of season tickets issued by ten of the principal railway companies in October, 1917, was greater by over 65,000 than the number for October, 1916, an increase of 36 per cent., and that on the figures for five months of 1917, as compared with the same, five months in 1916, there was an increase of over 30 per cent. in the number of season tickets issued by the companies.
§ Mr. WILESasked the President of the Board of Trade why delay is being caused in the issue of a season ticket to Charles Jarman, of May Villa, Sutton Court Road, Surrey, who is a freeholder of this house and engaged in business in the City of London; if he is aware that when application was made for a ticket he was requested to show the deeds of his property to the superintendent of the London, Brighton, and South Coast line at London Bridge, which he complied with, but was then asked to leave the conveyance of his property at the superintendent's office, which he declined to do, but left the original agreement to purchase with the railway company; and, if so, whether he will state when proper machinery will be 1889W devised for the issue of season tickets to bonâ-fide British men of business, so that inconvenience, waste of time, and unnecessary expense may be saved?
Sir A. STANLEYI am informed by the railway company that they authorised the issue of a season ticket to Mr. Jarman a few days after the receipt of his application.