Sir John Reith: I understand the purport of the Question, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the railway companies normally issue weekly season tickets.
Sir John Reith: The Railway Executive Committee is a body expert in all phases of railway management, and a high officer of the Ministry, the railway control officer, is in constant touch with them. I think the national interest is served by the present arrangement.
Sir John Reith: There has certainly been no such request to my knowledge.
Sir John Reith: A minimum charge in lieu of tips is paid by all passengers using London Midland and Scottish dining cars, first and third, and I do not feel justified in asking the company to discriminate between them.
Sir John Reith: I do not know what a bottle of beer costs in a railway carriage.
Sir John Reith: I will try to find out. What I do know is that in platform buffets there are discriminating, special rates for members of His Majesty's Forces.
Sir John Reith: Yes, I am quite prepared to pass on that suggestion.
Sir John Reith: The works on the Great North Road to which my hon. Friend refers are being carried out under Ministry of Transport direction as highway authority for the trunk road. The decision to continue was taken after full consideration of all the relevant circumstances, including those mentioned by my hon. Friend. All schemes on which works are continuing are under frequent review to determine whether,...
Sir John Reith: If the hon. Members are particularly interested in this work, I shall be pleased to give them details, and I think they will agree that what is being done is justifiable.
Sir John Reith: Instructions are that, when air raid warning is given, drivers should stop as soon as they come to a suitable place for shelter. In view of the labour and expense in treating the windows of tramcars and omnibuses, it is not proposed to require operators to take action on the lines suggested.
Sir John Reith: I quite understand the point, but it is one of those matters that may be as broad as it is long, or not quite as broad as it is long. So far it has been considered not justifiable to incur the expense indicated.
Sir John Reith: The matter is one which I should be very glad to submit to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security for his further advice, but so far the position is as I have stated, and if my right hon. Friend's advice is to the contrary, I shall be delighted to take action accordingly.
Sir John Reith: The company inform me that there is a general and serious shortage of towels, and that stocks available do not allow of supply in third-class lavatories on troop trains, and only in limited numbers when available in first-class.
Sir John Reith: No, Sir; I am sorry I cannot. I have no idea.
Sir John Reith: An Order was made that from 26th August no vehicle should be camouflaged to resemble a camouflaged Service vehicle. Where this has been done it should be undone. If owners wish to make their cars less conspicuous, glossy surfaces and light colours should be avoided, also Service grey or khaki.
Sir John Reith: Yes, Sir. I should like to make it clear that I do think such lorries might well be camouflaged. The Order referred to puts a veto only on the camouflage of cars to resemble camouflaged Service cars.
Sir John Reith: Yes, Sir, I know there is some confusion, and I should like, if I may, to consult with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Information on the subject.
Sir John Reith: It was necessary to cancel the special cheap rail facilities for parents visiting their children in reception areas partly because of the transport of troops and other movements to put this country in a position of defence and partly because of the numbers of children being moved to new areas. I hope it may be possible to provide some cheap facilities towards the end of this month, but that...
Sir John Reith: Yes, Sir; I know how much parents wish to visit their children, and facilities will be restored wherever possible as soon as possible.
Sir John Reith: The morning and evening workmen's service on this line is being augmented as from 19th August.