HC Deb 01 May 1957 vol 569 cc199-200
49. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many applications to continue the increase in fares made under the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties (Temporary Increase) Act have been made by omnibus undertakings to the Traffic Commissioners; how many have been granted; and in how many cases fares have been reduced in accordance with the terms of the Act.

Mr. Neave

Of 258 applications made, 250 have been granted wholly or in part. The power to charge increased fares under the Act has now automatically lapsed for the remaining 4,500 operators.

Mr. Davies

Is it not a fact that a very large number of these applications for increased fares came from private undertakings, whereas in the case of municipalities practically none of them asked for an increase in fares? Is it not a fact that these applications are partly based on the emergency surcharge, which still persists? If that were removed and the price of petrol reduced, there would not be the necessity to grant these applications for increases.

Mr. Neave

I cannot give the hon. Member the exact figures showing how many of the 250 which have been granted —that is a very small proportion of the 4,802 operators—apply to local authorities and how many to private operators, but the Traffic Commissioners assume that all those who have not made application have removed the surcharge in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Mr. Nabarro

Would my hon. Friend say what possible grounds there are for allowing any omnibus company to continue to charge the specially high fares arranged during the Suez period now that the "Suez shilling" has been removed? Should there not be a commensurate reduction in the fares of all omnibus companies?

Mr. Neave

On 10th December, when moving the Second Reading of the Act with which we are concerned, the Prime Minister explained that only where there were special reasons would these companies be allowed to continue the surcharge and only a very small proportion have made application. Those special reasons are, of course, a matter for the Commissioners, but they may involve cases where applications for increased fares have already been made.