§ 66. Mr. GILBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport whether he is aware that recently all omnibus and tramway fares have been reduced in the London area, and that no similar reductions have been made by the railway companies who carry passengers in the London surburban areas, either on their ordinary or season tickets; and whether he will draw the attention of the companies to these facts and urge them to reduce their present high suburban fares in the London district for their regular passengers who now provide a large revenue to these companies?
§ Mr. NEALI understand that reductions have been made in some omnibus and tramway fares in the London area. In so far as the latter part of the question refers to the Metropolitan District and Tube Railways, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer, a copy of which I am sending him, given on the 20th February to a question by the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Mr. Doyle). I would also draw his attention, as regards the other railway companies, to Sections 60 and 78 of the Railways Act, 1921. I am sending a copy of the hon. Member's question to the Railway Clearing House.
71. Sir F. HALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport what is the reduction in the annual wages bills of the British main line railway companies since the last increase was made in ordinary railway fares; what is the annual saving in running expenses which is expected to follow from the grouping of the railway companies; and if he will state what steps are being taken by the Government to ensure that a reasonable proportion of the benefit resulting from the decrease in working expenses shall be passed on to the travelling public?
§ Mr. NEALI am not in a position to supply the information asked for in the first part of the question. As regards the expected savings which will result from the grouping of railways, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the statement made by Sir Eric Geddes when moving the Second Reading of the Railways Bill on 26th May last year. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer to Part III of the Railways Act of last Session, and, in particular, to Sections 58, 59 and 60 of that Act.