§ 29. Mr. Proctorasked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to announce his decision in regard to the recommendations made in the Report of the Charges Consultative Committee concerning the adjustment of charges by the controlled railway companies, and when he will publish the Report.
§ Mr. BarnesYes, Sir. The Report is being published today and copies have been placed in the Library. The Committee recommended certain increases in charges, but in view of the uncertainty of the level of railway traffics in the current year, the Government have decided to wait until the end of March and then to review the position in the light of further experience of the trends of receipts and expenditure. I must make it clear that, if these trends are then unfavourable, charges will have to be increased without further delay. Certain adjustments will be made at an early date in the charges at railway-owned docks, and in the rail rates for juvenile season tickets. I have asked the companies concerned to consider how best to correct certain anomalies in the fares from stations on the London, Tilbury and Southend section of the L.M.S. Railway. Particulars will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Committee's further report on questions affecting coastwise shipping is still under consideration.
§ Following are the particulars:
| — | Increases above prewar charges | ||
| Existing | Recommended by Charges Consultative Committee. | To be brought into operation at an early date. | |
| Per cent | Per cent | Per cent | |
| (1) Docks, Harbours and Wharves | |||
| Statutory Charges:— | |||
| Coasting liners, when carrying mixed cargoes of merchandise and operating on regular scheduled services, and on cargoes of such liners. | 15 | 20 | 15 |
| Other coastal vessels and their cargoes | 40 | 20 | 15 |
| Other rates, dues and charges | 40 | 60 | 50 |
§ (2) Season tickets for Juveniles.
§ At present, season tickets for residential purposes are issued, at half the ordinary rates, to passengers between 16 and 18 years of age but only when their wages or monetary allowances do not exceed 25s. per week. As from an early date, such season tickets will be issued, at two-thirds of the ordinary rates, to all passengers between 16 and 18 years of age, irrespective of their wages or monetary allowances.
§ (3) Fare Anomalies.
§ The Committee's Report refers to anomalies in the fares from stations on the London, Tilbury and Southend section of the London, Midland and Scottish Railway to stations on the railways of the London Passenger Transport Board. The railway companies and the Board have been asked to investigate this matter and report at an early date their recommendations for a solution.