§ 62. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Transport whether it is intended to increase the railway rates and fares and, if so, when; and whether, before such increase in rates and fares takes place, a full statement will be made and the House enabled to express its judgment on the circumstances?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI would refer the hon. Member to Command Paper No. 815, presented to the House on the 8th of July, in which the position is fully explained.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs it intended to increase the railway rates and fares, and, if so, when? It is a simple question, but a very important one.
§ Sir E. GEDDESIt will be to meet the expense due to the increased cost of material and labour.
§ Mr. LAMBERTAnd when?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThat must depend upon when the Rates Advisory Committee reports.
§ Mr. LAMBERTConsidering since the Government have taken control of the railways, rates and fares have gone up by leaps and bounds, is it not better to hand the railways back to the companies?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe railways cannot be handed back until two years have elapsed, and, in the meantime, the Government guarantee remains.
§ Mr. LAMBERTHow much will that cost the nation in the meantime?
§ Sir E. GEDDESIt is difficult to say.
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELAre we to understand that in the meantime the country is losing a little more than £1,000,000 a week by the running of the railways? Is nothing going to be done immediately to avoid putting that loss on the next Civil Service Estimates?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThat is the very thing I am endeavouring to do. Parliament adopted the procedure of referring such matters to the Rates Advisory Committee set up by Statute. No delay that is avoidable has taken place. I have personally seen the Chairman of the Committee. He has put aside all other work. He is fully alive to the urgency of this matter to prevent loss falling on the taxpayers, and until they deal with it, I am not in a position by law to take any action whatever.
§ Mr. GRITTENAbolish the Ministry of Transport, and get rid of the Minister!