§ Mr. Lipsonasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the additional financial burden to the State, when account is taken of the fact that the surplus profit of the railways above an agreed sum reverts to the State, of giving Members of Parliament for the duration of the war passes between London and their constituencies; and will he indicate how the amount is arrived at?
§ Mr. AsshetonThe current estimates provide for an expenditure of £35,000 for Members' travelling facilities. The approximate cost of providing Members with the additional travel facilities that would be offered by a permanent pass between London and their constituencies would be £67,000. Under the present financial arrangements between the railway companies and the Government, the provision of such extra facilities would not place any additional burden on the Exchequer. A system of permanent passes would, however, give travelling facilities in excess of those authorised by Parliament and would prevent any check being kept to ensure that the moneys provided by Parliament were expended solely for the purpose for which they were voted.