§ Sir J. POWERasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the London Passenger Transport Board allow third-class ticket holders to travel in first-class compartments during rush hours on the District line east of Charing Cross without extra charge; if he will inquire during what hours this is permitted; whether the same privilege is extended to all passengers on the same line west of Charing Cross to Wimbledon and other towns; and, if not, will he take steps 402W to see that all passengers, irrespective of class of ticket purchased, are placed on one level?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that the arrangement referred to in the first part of the question applies between Mark Lane—not Charing Cross—and stations east thereof, between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, and between 12 noon and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The practice was introduced about 20 years ago owing to the very dense third class traffic on this section of line, where first-class traffic is exceedingly small. Its application to other parts of the line, where circumstances are different, would not in the view of the board, be warranted. The matter is not one in which I have power to take any action.