§ Mr. GILBERTasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is a demand for excursion trains to London from many small towns and country places; is he aware that such trains were run before the War generally on the early closing day of the particular districts; and will he ask the railway companies if it is possble to run some excursion trains to London from towns and holiday places in the southern and eastern counties during the autumn months?
§ Sir E. GEDDESIf we are to continue to secure the economies in working already attained a necessary condition of the running of day excursion trains is that they shall attract new traffic, thus adding to earnings. For this reason it has been felt generally that the excursion trains should be run only for purely holiday traffic to holiday resorts. The hon. Member must remember that the rise in transportation charges has been far less than the rise in wages and in the cost of materials used, and unless other travellers are to pay for the loss on cheap tickets we must adhere to the principle stated above. I shall, however, be glad to consider with the hon. Member any particular instances in which he thinks that the necessary conditions can be fulfilled.