THE EARL OF AIRLIEasked His Majesty's Government: (a) whether it is true, as reported in the Press, that it is intended to cease the usual three free railway warrants per annum granted in the past to officers going on leave and to give to officers of the rank of major and below only third-class warrants in their place; (b) what these three free first-class travelling warrants to officers have cost the country during the last two years; (c) whether this reported change will apply equally to the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force; and (d) what will be the estimated saving to the country from these so-called economies.
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD PAKENHAM)As regards the first part of the Question, the position is as follows. Rail travel on leave at public expense did not exist before the war; it was introduced in October, 1939, and1020WA has been retained in post-war regulations. There has, however, been no change in the regulation governing the class of rail travel to which officers are entitled. Officers below the rank of substantive major and equivalent have not for many years been entitled by regulation to travel first-class by rail in the United Kingdom, except on special occasions, e.g., when they have had necessarily to travel in uniform. During the war all officers wore uniform at their duty stations and therefore necessarily wore uniform on leave journeys. First-class travel was therefore admissible for officers of all ranks. In peace time, however, it is not normally necessary for officers to wear uniform on leave journeys. In these circumstances the second and fourth parts of the Question do not arise.
As regards the third part of the Question, the regulations of all three Services on this subject are similar.
House adjourned at a quarter past six o'clock.