§ 1. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the meetings of the tube railway companies in London at which a probable increase of fares on the London tube and underground railways was foreshadowed; whether, before any fares are so raised, they must be submitted for the approval of the Railway Executive Committee; and, if not, will he consider that these railway companies should submit and justify such increases to the Board of Trade before they are charged to the public?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Wardle)I have seen the statements to which I presume the hon. Gentleman refers. Any general revision of fares on controlled railways is a matter in which the Government are directly interested, and would be consulted, but the tube railways are not controlled, and the Board of Trade have no power to prevent them from altering their fares within the authorised limits.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSDo I understand that there are no statutory fixed fares with regard to the Tubes, and that it will not be necessary to come before this House or the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. WARDLEThere is a statutory limit, but within that limit they have power to raise them.
§ Mr. PEMBERTON BILLINGWill the hon. Member say what is that limit?
§ Mr. WARDLENot without notice.