HC Deb 26 June 1940 vol 362 cc428-9
7. Sir Percy Harris

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet received the report of the Charges (Railway Control) Consultative Committee on the fares charged by the London Passenger Transport Board, and what action he proposes to take?

The Minister of Transport (Sir John Reith)

Yes, Sir. The report is being published, and copies will be available at the Vote Office to-day. The committee has recommended increases in certain of the Board's road service fares, to produce a sum equal to about 10 per cent. of the receipts from those services, and also in some corresponding Board railway fares. The chief increase on the road services, and the only increase on the railways, is the addition of ½d. to existing 1d. and 1½d. fares, and to a number of existing 2d. fares. An Order authorising the increases recommended by the committee has been made. They will come into effect generally on Wednesday, 3rd July.

Sir P. Harris

Has due consideration been given to some large working-class districts some distance out, where the fares on the family are very high? Is the Minister satisfied that no undue hardship is imposed on people who have to come regularly to work in the centre of London?

Sir J. Reith

If my right hon. Friend will read the report, which is available, I think he will find that the committee gave full consideration to just such points as that which he has mentioned.