§ Captain W. BENNasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the increase in cloak-room fees for deposits made by commercial travellers, and what the increased charge yields; and what is the estimated gain to the railways 925W accruing from the withdrawal of favourable fare rates to commercial travellers?
Sir J. D. REESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has seen a resolution by the Nottingham branch of the United Commercial Travellers' Association protesting against the withdrawal of the 1d. cloak fee charged to commercial travellers depositing their samples and business luggage in the railway cloak rooms; and whether he is aware that this action imposes a further charge upon commercial travellers, who have been and still are very seriously penalised by the withdrawal of their week-end tickets and the increase in the fares put into operation in January, 1917, and praying for the reconsideration of this matter and for the reinstatement of a special rate go as to give to those constantly travelling on business the consideration to which they are equitably entitled, having regard to their constant use of the railways exclusively for business purposes?
§ Mr. NEALResolutions have been received from several branches of the United Kingdom Commercial Travellers' Association on this subject. The withdrawal of the 1d. cloak room fee is not confined to commercial travellers, but applies to all classes of travellers and the minimum charge of 2d. was imposed on the recommendation of the Rates Advisory Committee. At the present time, owing to the working conditions and financial position of the railways, it is not practicable to restore the issue of special week-end tickets to commercial travellers, but, as soon as circumstances admit, special cases in which facilities have been withdrawn will receive consideration. No figures are available as to the amounts paid in the shape of these increased charges and fares.