HC Deb 16 August 1920 vol 133 cc620-1W
Mr. PALMER

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increase in season-ticket rates, which will inflict hardship on thousands of clerical and other workers, he will, in connection with the forthcoming increase in the price of workmen's tickets, instruct the railway companies to continue to issue such tickets to bonâ fide employed persons travelling by all trains up to 8 a.m., or by the first morning train should this leave at a later hour, such tickets to be available for return at the same hours and under the same conditions as govern the issue of workmen's tickets.

Mr. NEAL

I would refer the hon. Member to Command Paper No. 857 (page 7), in which the Rates Advisory Committee state:

  1. (a) each railway company must be left to settle the times at which workmen's trains should be run, provided that it does not fail to offer proper facilities up to a reasonable hour, the securing of which is already provided for (i.e., under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883).
  2. (b) It would be better to recognise that any person travelling by such trains is entitled to do so at the reduced fare.

The Government is in agreement with these views, and I am taking up with the railway companies the detailed schemes necessary to give effect thereto.