HC Deb 06 December 1932 vol 272 c1492
Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

I beg to move, in page 44, line 25, after "1921," to insert the words "(except Section forty-seven thereof)."

This is an Amendment similar to the one that we have already passed, designed to keep in force the existing machinery as to through rates.

Amendment agreed to.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

6.43 p.m.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

Does this Amendment mean that a railway will be able to charge a lower rate between stations within the area and to charge a higher rate for a longer journey outside the area? I live a long way off and I do not want the railways to be giving cheap fares to people who have to make a journey of only five or 10 miles, and then to put on a higher fare for those who live further away, and to whom it is an important matter. I want to protect the long-distance travelling public from having to pay higher fares in order to subsidise the short-distance travelling public.

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

It means that if you run from stations A to Z on one railway and from stations Z to B on another railway the through fares shall maintain a level price for the same distance on both railways.

Mr. C. WILLIAMS

The level price can be maintained upwards or downwards. You are not going to subsidise the short-distance travelling at the expense of the long-distance travelling?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

No.