§ Brigadier-General CROFTasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the hardship of cases where relatives desire to visit wounded in hospitals but are precluded from so doing owing to the high railway fares; and whether he will consider the possibility of issuing warrants so that relatives can in these cases travel at the fares previously charged?
§ Mr. FORSTERThe medical authorities have discretion to issue concession vouchers to relatives whose home are thirty or more miles distant from the hospital. These vouchers provide for the return journey at single fare, and I understand that the 50 per cent. increase is not charged on them. As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Limehouse I am inquiring whether any relaxation of the thirty-mile rule could properly be made.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in consequence of the temporary closing of Box Tunnel for repairs, the Great Western Railway Company are justified in charging an increase in the return fare between Chippenham and Bath from 2s. 2d. to 4s. 7d.; and whether, in the circumstances, he will take steps to obtain a reduction from the railway company in the fare 57W charged from Chippenham to Bath to the rate charged prior to the closing of the Box Tunnel?
Mr. ROBERTSI have already furnished the hon. Gentleman with a copy of a letter from the Great Western Railway Company explaining the circumstances under which the increase referred to has been made. That letter referred, however, more particularly to the fare between Corsham and Bath, and I have asked the company for their further observations, and will communicate with the hon. Gentleman on receipt of their reply.