§ 15. Major PRESCOTTasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Metropolitan Electric Tramways Company, Limited, recently approached the Middlesex county council to approve the company's application to the Ministry for the issue of an interim order authorising an increase in tramway fares by 50 per cent. under the provisions of the Tramways (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1920; that the details of the increased fares have not been agreed between the company and the county council; that the revised charges on some of the stages between Finsbury Park and Edmonton represent an increase of 100 per cent.; and if he will state what action he proposes to take in the matter, and give some explanation as to why the Ministry sanctioned a 50 per cent. increase without the concurrence of the Middlesex county council?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Sir Eric Geddes)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley on the 1st instant. The Interim Order has been referred to the Tramways Charges Advisory Committee set up under the terms of the Tramways (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1920, and the representations made by local authorities have also been referred to the Committee.