§ 16. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade if the tube and underground railways in London are charging the maximum passenger rates allowed under their powers, and if they can exceed their maximum rates without the consent of his Department?
§ Sir A. GEDDESThe Railway (Passenger Fares) Order, 1916, allowed all railway companies in Great Britain to increase their ordinary fares by 50 per cent. I understand, however, that the tube railways have not increased their fares beyond the maximum rates allowed under their previous statutory powers, though 563 the other underground railways may have done so but without exceeding the limits laid down by the Order. Apart from the Order, no consent of the Board of Trade is necessary to an increase of the fares within these limits.