HC Deb 15 July 1970 vol 803 cc1504-5
6. Mr. Prentice

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the proposals of the Greater London Council to increase bus and underground fares on the services operated by the London Transport Executive.

Mr. Peyton

During the autumn, Sir.

Mr. Prentice

Does the Prime Minister's recent statement about the need for price restraint in the public sector apply to London Transport as well as to other publicly-owned industries? If it does, will the Minister be able to do anything to protect Londoners from the excessive fare increases proposed by the Conservative-controlled G.L.C.?

Mr. Peyton

My right hon. Friend's statements have a very wide bearing, but this matter cannot really be changed. The reference was made in June by the previous Administration, and I understand that fares are going up in the middle of August.

Mr. Lipton

But does the right hon. Gentleman accept with equanimity the monstrous proposals that there should be a 1s. minimum fare on the London Underground system?

Mr. Peyton

With great respect, there are quite a number of legacies which I have to accept, though not with equanimity.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

There has been a change in recent weeks, as the Minister probably knows. Since 18th June we have had a Government which have said that they will control the prices charged by the nationalised industries. Has he not now an opportunity to set an example by controlling the fares charged to London Transport commuters at their level prior to his coming to power?

Mr. Peyton

I am afraid that I cannot follow the hon. Gentleman in his advocacy of yet another subsidy. What I can do is to remind him of what my right hon. Friends have said, which is that it is quite impossible to contain the damaging results of Labour Government overnight.