asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that the Southern Railway have given instructions that change must not be given by booking clerks to persons who tender a £5 note in payment of fares; and whether this refusal of the company to accept legal tender is the result of instructions given by his Department?

I am looking into this matter, and will let my hon. Friend know the result.

If I let the hon. Member have details of the case of a squadron-leader who was unable to get a ticket for his wife and child because he had not less than a £5 note in his possession, will he look into them.

I shall be glad to look into any details that the hon. Member can give me.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the difficulties of passengers in obtaining seats at Stoke-on-Trent; that there were no seats available on several trains on 30th April, when people were not allowed to use first-class seats; and what action it is intended to take?

Apart from special trains for workmen, 113 local and through trains left Stoke on 3oth April. The loading of the local trains was normal, and it was only in certain main-line express trains that passengers had difficulty in finding accommodation. I am informed that only one instance can be traced in which third-class passengers were prevented from using first-class seats. This was on a train from Birmingham to Manchester, which leaves Stoke at 11.40 a.m. Passengers who were about to enter first-class compartments were directed to third-class compartments, in which there were unoccupied seats.

Will the Minister have observation made at this station, and, if necessary, take appropriate action?

Yes, Sir.

Will my hon. Friend pay attention to this matter, because there is no doubt that porters are stopping people from occupying first-class carriages, when there is room in them and no room in third-class carriages?

I said yesterday that we shall see that these instructions are observed.

Is my hon. Friend aware that although soldiers are allowed to enter first-class compartments, they do not dare to do so if officers are in those compartments?

That is not a matter for my Department.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport what action it is intended to take in order that men and women serving in the Armed Forces, the Merchant Service, women with young children and those engaged on special National Service shall be given preference in the whole of the seating accommodation on all long-distance trains and in the use of trucks and other assistance in the carrying of kitbags, etc., on all railway platforms?

My hon. Friend's proposal would require the establishment of a system of priority permits for all those who use long-distance trains for any essential purpose. This would entail great inconvenience to travellers, and would necessitate the creation of an elaborate and costly administrative organisation. I regret that these disadvantages would outweigh the advantages which the plan might have.

If the action I have suggested cannot be taken, what action is being taken to deal with this problem?

I am afraid that there must be great discomfort for all classes of passengers in present conditions, because of the pressure upon our transport system. The railways are doing their best; I am not sure what more they can do. If my hon. Friend will make any proposals, I will consider them.

We recognise that there must be inconvenience, but will my hon. Friend see that that inconvenience is spread over all classes of travellers?

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Ministry of War Transport itself is aggravating the position in some districts by increasing the fares by 60 per cent.?

As this war is being fought for democracy, why not abolish first-class carriages?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that on i7th April, the chairman of Coast Lines, Limited, with one other person, made a special trip on the ss. "Lochearn" from Oban to Tobermory; that this is not the ship's normal voyage; that the mail boat ss. "Lochinvar" had left for the same destination one hour earlier; that both ships arrived at Tobermory within 10 minutes of one another; and the amount of oil fuel consumed on the voyage and the cost in overtime paid to the ship's company?

I am informed that the chairman and general manager of MacBrayne, Limited, had to make a necessary inspection of extensions to the shipping facilities at Lochaline, which is about midway between Oban and Tobermory, and that they took the "Lochearn," intending to land at Lochaline, and to go on from there, with the mail boat. They made this arrangement in order to avoid delaying the mail boat at Lochaline while their inspection was made. Unfortunately, the weather made it impossible for the "Lochearn" to land her passengers at Lochaline, and they were, therefore, obliged to take her on to Tobermory. The fuel consumed by the "Lochearn" was about 70 gallons, and the cost of overtime was £3 3s.

Does the Minister suggest that it was impossible for the "Lochinvar" to take this diversion on its way to Tobermory and save both time and money?

Of course, that could have been done, but it would have meant that passengers and mails would have been delayed for a considerable time at Lochaline.

What was the nature of this inspection?

Inspections of this kind must be made.

Was this an inspection undertaken on behalf of the Ministry of War Transport, or was it simply an inspection conducted by Coast Lines, Limited, of which Sir Alfred Reed is chairman?

We are anxious to keep these services at the highest point of efficiency, and such inspections must be made by those responsible for running them.

I asked whether the inspection was undertaken on behalf of the Ministry of War Transport, and, if so, what was the nature of the inspection?

I have already said that in our view this was a necessary inspection.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.