Viscountess Astorasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the difficulty experienced by civil defence workers in making long journeys to and from the places to which their families have been evacuated in the period of three days covered by the cheap railway vouchers issued to them, he will consider extending the period covered by these vouchers to seven days, to enable these men to spend their full leave with their families, and to obtain as much rest as possible in a quiet area?
§ Lieut.-Colonel Moore-BrabazonThe cheap railway tickets to which the Noble Lady refers were introduced primarily to enable parents to visit their evacuated families. In answer to Questions on 5th December last, I announced in this House that the period of validity of these tickets would be extended where necessary to three days to ensure that the time spent in the reception areas is not unduly short. I do not think it would be reasonable to expect the companies to go further than they have gone.