§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he has any statement to make on the recent disturbance, when the police had to intervene, at Fleetwood, because several hundred passengers failed to secure accommodation on a steamer to the Isle of Man; and whether any tickets were issued in advance for the journey?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am aware that at recent week-ends it has not been possible to carry all the passengers who desire 219W to travel from Fleetwood to the Isle of Man. I regret that it is not possible to adopt the normal remedy of putting on an extra vessel, since all the suitable ships are engaged on essential war service. There is no authorised machinery for issuing tickets in advance and there would be great administrative difficulties in any system of advance booking. My Noble Friend has the matter under close observation, and will make every endeavour to avoid further incidents of the kind to which my hon. Friend refers. The real remedy, however, lies in the hands of the public themselves.