61.
asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether his attention has been called to the notice of the railway companies that they propose to extend weekend tickets from Fridays to Mondays, but only to places when the single third-class fare is 15s.; whether he is aware that the effect of this will be that the large population of London and Greater London will be unable to obtain this pre-War condition to any of the coast holiday resorts or other inland places unless they are over 100 miles away from London; and whether he will urge on the various railway companies the necessity of treating all passengers on equal terms, and of giving London short-distance passengers the same facilities as long-distance passengers are to be given?
I am informed that the conditions in respect of week-end tickets on the railways generally are as stated by the hon. Member. As the hon. Member is aware, the Minister has now no jurisdiction over railway fares; the railway companies are at liberty to make such modifications in fares as they consider expedient, but I am sending them a copy of my hon. Friend's question.