§ Mr. A. SHORTasked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the total number of Service volunteers employed in the railway strike, and the total cost of the remuneration involved?
§ Sir E. GEDDESSo far as I am able to ascertain, about 6,000 Service volunteers were actually employed on the railways during the recent strike. I am not in a position to state the total cost of their remuneration.
§ Mr. SWANasked the Minister of Transport whether free passes on the railway have been issued to persons who worked as volunteers during the recent railway strike; whether this action has been taken by the railway companies or on the initiative of the Government; and, in the former case, whether the value of these passes will be deducted from the amount payable to the companies under the railway agreement?
§ Sir E. GEDDESInquiry has been made of the principal railway companies, and from the replies so far received I find that duty passes were issued or equivalent924W arrangements were made in order to enable volunteers during the strike to travel to and from their homes. In certain cases volunteers who refused payment for their services were given a complimentary pass. In this matter the companies exercised their own discretion and no question of financial adjustment arises.