HC Deb 12 November 1912 vol 43 cc1816-7
88. Mr. LARDNER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has received notice from the Great Northern Railway of Ireland that they propose to increase their passenger fares; will he state what is the rate of the proposed increase and the reasons offered therefore by the railway; whether any other Irish railway company has recently increased the rates of passenger fares; will he state the rate per mile charged for the different classes of passengers on the Great Northern Railway of Ireland prior to the increase, and the rate per mile after the increase; and will he state the rate per mile charged by the other leading Irish lines?

Mr. BUXTON

Railway companies are under no obligation to give the Board of Trade notice of increases in passenger fares. The Board have, however, been in communication with the Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland), and I am sending my hon. Friend copies of two-letters from them dealing with the subject I of his question. I have seen in the Press a statement that other Irish companies have decided to increase certain of their passenger fares (other than single fares), but the Board of Trade have not received particulars of the increases.

Mr. J. H. THOMAS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no railway companies in Ireland have incresed the wages or improved the conditions of their employés, and that therefore they are not justified in making increased charges?

Mr. BUXTON

As far as I recollect, one of the points put by the Great Northern Railway of Ireland in reply to the representations I made to them, was that they had increased the wages of their employés, and that that was one of the reasons for the increase. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of their answer, and be will see what their points are.

Mr. J. H. THOMAS

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that they also replied to him that they refused to adopt the Royal Commission's scheme which justified the increase?

Mr. BUXTON

They did not adopt the Conciliation Board, but they say in their letter that they have increased the wages of their employés.