HL Deb 18 March 1965 vol 264 cc418-9
LORD WISE

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

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they were consulted before the recent increase of day rail fares in mid-Norfolk was imposed by the British Railways Board; and, if not, whether strong representation will be made to the Board that increasing fares by amounts up to 40 per cent. and more in the case of a Saturday excursion train is not in accordance with national policy and should be revised as it makes such rail travelling prohibitive to many potential passengers in this country area.]

LORD LINDGREN

My Lords, the Railways Board consult my right honourable friend before making major changes in fares. The increases to which the noble Lord refers are in excursion and other concessionary fares, and we were not consulted about them. The Board are responsible for fixing fares, and it would be inappropriate for my right honourable friend to intervene.

LORD WISE

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, I would ask whether I am to understand that in some areas the Government are consulted in regard to proposals to increase fares, but that in country areas no such consultation takes place? If that is so, is it not apparent that the railway passengers in country areas are at a disadvantage compared to those in the Metropolis and elsewhere; and if such consultation does not take place, is it not possible to devise means whereby it should?

LORD LINDGREN

My Lords, so far as the London area is concerned, of course, there is the Transport Tribunal, to whom application must be made by the Railways Board or by London Transport when it is proposed to increase fares within the London area. But under the Transport Act, 1962, the rest of the country was completely freed from any requirement on the Railways Board to go to arbitration or to any tribunal, and the Board are completely free to assess their fares in the way they think necessary.

LORD WISE

My Lords, should I be right in saying that here is a national monopoly, which is inflicting hardship upon one section of the community? And should that not be put right?

LORD LINDGREN

My Lords, unfortunately—though perhaps I ought not to say "unfortunately"—this is not a monopoly, and competition from buses is causing the problem of falling railway revenue. The Board have a difficult job. They have to face a £30 million annual increase in their costs, arising from a wages award. They are meeting two-thirds of this cost by increased efficiency and productivity, and only one-third falls to be met by increased fares and freight charges.