§ 12. Mr. McENTEEasked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to standardise railway fares and to abolish the anomalies which arise owing to the practice of railway companies in providing cheap fares for certain minimum distances; whether he is aware, for instance, that on the Metropolitan Railway the fare from Baker Street to North Harrow is 2s. 4d., whereas the fare to one station beyond is only 1s. 3d.; and that the company refuse to permit a person holding a 1s. 3d. ticket to alight at North Harrow except on payment of extra fare?
Mr. STANLEYThe practice of issuing cheap return tickets between specified stations on certain days of the week is one which has been generally adopted by the railway companies in the exercise of their commercial discretion and as a means of attracting additional traffic. The Railway Rates Tribunal has jurisdiction over railway fares in the London Passenger Transport area, and I see no need for further legislation on the subject.
§ Mr. McENTEEIf it pays the railway company to run a passenger to one station beyond North Harrow for 1s. 3d., why should they charge 2s. 4d. to North Harrow? Is it not an excessive profit?
Mr. STANLEYThere is a provision in the Act by which matters of this kind can be brought to the notice of the Railway Rates Tribunal and dealt with.