HC Deb 01 December 1920 vol 135 cc1271-2W
Mr. MACQUISTEN

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has had it brought to his notice that the increased fares of the London traffic combine are pressing very hardly on working people who have to travel from their homes to their work; whether he has observed that a considerable portion of the traffic combine's earnings are being expended in hiring columns, and in some cases full pages, of the London Press, and publishing therein remonstrances with the public for objecting to the increases; and, in view of such expenditure, is he fully advised as to the opinions of the public on the matter of his consenting to the various increases of fares?

Mr. NEAL

I am not aware that any undue hardship has been occasioned by the recent increase in fares on the underground and tube railways and tramway undertakings forming part of the London traffic combine. These fares were the subject of inquiry by the Rates Advisory Committee, and the Tramway Charges Advisory Committee respectively, which, after very careful consideration of the evidence tendered, recommended that the amended fares now in operation should be approved. I think the amount of expenditure to be incurred in the dissemination of information as to alterations in the fares must be regarded as one primarily for the discretion of the companies. The fares charged by the omnibus companies are not subject to the Minister's control.