§ Mr. J. BROWNasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the desirability of restoring to the community some of the facilities for cheap travelling in force prior to the War, he will give favourable consideration to any proposals made by responsible firms or societies, whereby the risks that he fears of such facilities being economically disadvantageous to the State would be obviated by such firms or societies undertaking to recoup the cost of running such trains, together with a profit or bonus of 33⅓ per cent. thereon, leaving to such 1291W firms or societies the right to charge such fares as might seem to them to be requisite, but with the proviso that such fares should not exceed the fares at present charged by the railway companies?
§ Mr. NEALI have no reason to doubt that railway companies will give fair consideration to any specific proposals of the character named in the question which may be submitted to them, but I do not wish to encourage the view that existing traffic conditions will make it possible for much, if anything, to be done in the direction indicated without detrimentally interfering with the normal services of the company.