§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any communications from the organised rambling clubs in the Manchester district regarding the possibility of restoring the Saturday and Sunday cheap trains for ramblers; whether this matter is being considered; whether he is aware that, in consequence of the lack of cheaper railway facilities, the rambling clubs are compelled to restrict their programmes mainly to areas which can be reached by tramcar; that, if cheaper trains were run, many thousands of people would use them and thus cause a considerable increase to railway revenues; and whether a decision on this matter may be expected at an early date?
§ Mr. NEALCommunications have been received from organised rambling clubs in the Manchester district on this subject. The whole question of the issue of tickets at fares less than the ordinary has been inquired into by the Rates Advisory Committee, set up under Section 21 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, whose report has been issued as a Command Paper (Cd. 1148). The Committee are of opinion that the issue of cheap tickets to clubs, associations, and pleasure parties may well be left to the commercial discretion of the companies, where their responsible managers are of opinion that such a grant would produce additional net revenue. The Minister has accepted the recommendations of the Committee in this matter and is in communication with the railway companies as to giving effect thereto.