HC Deb 10 February 1943 vol 386 cc1302-3
32. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is now in a position to state what reduction in passengers carried has taken place in the London transport area arising from the withdrawal of cheap fares and other facilities; and whether, in the case of any services that show no reduction since the withdrawal, he will consider the re-establishment of the former fares, particularly from and to Greater London areas?

Mr. Noel-Baker

I have received very-few returns of railway traffic in the London area since I answered a similar Question by my hon. Friend on 16th December; I am, however, asking for further information and will communicate with him again. I have not yet had any evidence that there is any railway service in the London area on which there has been no reduction of passenger traffic since the cheap day tickets were abolished. But even if this had happened on some services, it might be due to the diversion from road to rail caused by the abolition of Green Line Coaches and by the other measures which we have taken to restrict the use of omnibuses. In general, I think it is fair to say that the abolition of cheap day tickets has secured the reduction in non-essential travel for which we hoped, and for that and other reasons, I cannot encourage my hon. Friend to expect that his proposal will be accepted.

Mr. Sorensen

Can the hon. Gentleman say why, if he finds on inquiry that the withdrawal of certain services or facilities has not led to a reduction in the number of passengers who travelled, those facilities should not be restored?

Mr. Noel-Baker

There are many other factors involved, especially diversion from road to rail. If my hon. Friend examined the question, I think he would see that it is extremely difficult to give differential treatment to one service, other services not receiving the same treatment.

Mr. Sorensen

Why should that be so, seeing that the whole traffic is co-ordinated under one authority?

Mr. Noel-Baker

My hon. Friend wishes that there should be differential treatment of any service on which it has been proved that there had not been a reduction of traffic. I think we could not do that.