§ 63. Mr. GILBERTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport the last date when railway fares were increased by the railway companies; what reductions in wages of railwaymen have taken place during last year: whether further reductions are expected this year; and whether, in view of these reductions and the reduced price of coal and other materials, his Department will urge on all the railway companies the urgency of reducing passenger fares at once, in order that the travelling public may be induced to travel more and increase the revenue of the companies?
§ Mr. NEALThe last general increase in railway fares took place on 6th August, 1920. I am not in a position to supply the aggregate amount of subsequent reductions in wages, or to say what further reductions are probable. As the hon. Member is aware, the Government possession of the railways ceased in August last, and the Minister has no longer any jurisdiction over railway fares. It is now open to the companies to reduce their fares if the circumstances, in their opinion, warrant such a course, or an application for a reduction of fares may be made to the Rates Tribunal under Sections 60 and 78 of the Railways Act, 1921.