§ MR. S. COLLINS (Lambeth, Kennington)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the proposals of the various tube and other 117 railway companies of London to increase the fares on their lines; and, if so, will he use his influence with the said companies to prevent, or in some measure mitigate, this increase.
(Answered by Mr. Kearley.) The Board of Trade are informed that the District, Metropolitan, and Central London Railway Companies have agreed upon a working arrangement, which will come into operation as soon as details can be settled, and will affect fares between Hammersmith, the West End, and the City. The main features of this arrangement will, I understand, be an increase to 3d. of the fares charged for the longer distances on the Central London Railway, and a revision of those now in force on the Metropolitan and District Lines. The Central London Company state that what they propose is to adhere to a fare of 2d. for all distances not exceeding that between the Bank and the Marble Arch, that is, three and a half miles, and to charge 3d. for all greater distances. No alteration, however, will be made as regards workmen's tickets. Details of the other companies' proposals have not yet been received.