HL Deb 13 May 1952 vol 176 cc797-8

2.43 p.m.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether London will receive the same concessions as the provinces in any new scheme for passenger fares; what proportion of the total loss of £2,500,000 in annual revenue these concessions will represent, and whether, in view of the injustice to Londoners of paying higher fares than travellers in the provinces in the meantime, they will require the Transport Tribunal to review the operation of the present scheme in London.]

LORD LEATHERS

My Lords, it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government that, so far as practicable, the same principle will be applied in the London area as in the rest of the country. The British Transport Commission have been asked to submit proposals, and until these have been considered it is not possible to say what concessions will be made or to give any precise estimate of the loss of revenue in the London area and in the rest of the country respectively. The figure of £2,500,000 which has been mentioned was merely intended to indicate the sort of amount expected to be involved in total. The fact that all the increases outside the London area have been suspended for a short time does not justify requiring the tribunal to review the operation of the scheme in regard to the London area.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his reply, I should like to ask him whether he can give us an assurance that he, personally, will do everything he can to expedite a new scheme for passenger fares, because every day that passes increases the hardship and injustice to London.

LORD LEATHERS

My Lords, I appreciate that there is an injustice to London until these fares have been put into proper shape, and I am losing no time in pressing to get this matter adjusted. It is entirely a matter for the British Transport Commission to submit their new scheme to us, and they have been requested to do so with all speed. Immediately we receive it we shall proceed to make the necessary adjustments.