HL Deb 18 December 1969 vol 306 cc1263-4
LORD INGLEWOOD

My Lords, I beg leave 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 British Railways' proposal to increase the price of platform tickets by 100 per cent. is in accordance with their prices and incomes policy.]

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, the Railways Board are following the recommendation of the National Board for Prices and Incomes that they should adopt a policy of market pricing in fixing their charges for the services and facilities which they offer. The Railways Board have informed my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport that the price of 3d. for a platform ticket has remained in force for five years and they have decided that it should now he increased to a price more in accord with present-day costs.

LORD INGLEWOOD

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply and not wishing to split hairs, may I ask whether this figure of 100 per cent. is not rather a long way from the sacred figure of 3½ per cent. which has been so frequently quoted to us?

LORD HUGHES

My Lords, I must confirm the accuracy of the noble Lord's arithmetic. I would not go beyond that.