§ Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Transport whether the Rates Advisory Committee is open to receive objections, 1720W in special cases involving hardship, to the recent increase in the cheap early train fares; if this be so, what procedure should be adopted by those wishing to obtain redress; whether the Rates Advisory Committee have considered the fact that, in view of the enormous unemployment in the London docks, this increase involves great hardship to those workers who have to travel by train to seek work with but little hope of finding work at the end of the journey, and who, if they do not find work, have to return during the day when the fares are at the ordinary passenger rate, and therefore in addition waste the return journey or their early cheap train ticket; and, if consideration has not been taken of this fact, will he immediately take steps to inform the Committee of this position, which is at present causing widespread unrest at the docks?
§ Mr. NEALThe Rates Advisory Committee held a public inquiry into the question of cheap early train fares, of which due notice was given, so recently as July last; representatives of various public bodies gave evidence and before making their report the Committee gave very careful consideration to all the facts submitted.