§ MR. A. MORTON (Peterborough)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain London Tramway Companies systematically suspend all ½d., 1d., and l½d. fares on Bank holidays, and make 2d. the minimum fare for any distance; and whether he will endeavour, by legislation or otherwise, to prevent Tramway Companies in the future from charging these additional fares on public holidays?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. MUNDELLA,) Sheffield, BrightsideI have received a letter from the London Tramways Companies, from which I learn that
the company charges ½d., 1d., 1½d., and 2d., according to the distance run. To Greenwich, Streatham, and Tooting, the company's usual charge is 3d. for 6¾ miles, 4¾ miles, and 6½ miles respectively. This involves the giving out of different tickets for different tramway stations. On the three holidays—Easter, Whit-Monday, and August Monday Bank holidays, it is impossible, owing to the number of passengers, to provide for the issue of tickets and collection of fares for different stations, and, therefore, the ½d., 1d., and l½d. fares are abolished on those days; but the 2d. fare which is charged is considerably below the maximum charge allowed by Parliament.The Board of Trade have at present no power to intervene in the matter, and I would point out to the hon. Member that if a concession once made is to be regarded as perpetual there would be greater difficulties in obtaining concessions. I will, however, consider the point.