§ Sir A. Baillieasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport to what extent preference is given to long distance passengers on omnibuses over short distance passengers; and to what extent preference is given to war-workers travelling on omnibuses over non-war-workers?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMuch consideration has been given to these matters and various measures, suitable to the local conditions, have been adopted where circumstances warrant and conditions are suitable. Among the expedients to protect long-distance passengers are minimum fares, 1717W limited stop services, relief buses and reduction or segregation of stopping places. In many places systems are in force to give preference to workers by according priority to the holders of twelve-journey tickets; in others, war workers are given badges or other distinguishing symbols which entitle them to priority of travel. In addition, arrangements for the staggering of working hours, the early closing of shops and the adjustment of hours of opening and closing of entertainments have been made, and my Department has appealed to the public to avoid travel at rush hours and to walk short distances. In all these ways, efforts are being made to ensure that neither those who have long distances to travel nor war workers shall be crowded out of the omnibuses. As my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate, at this stage of the war a very high proportion of the civil population is engaged upon war work in one form or another, and any system involving discrimination needs most careful operating and adjustment to meet local needs and conditions.