§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the Minister of Transport if the miners' strike has made any reduction in fares and freight charges during 1921 almost hopeless?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe present strike has involved a serious loss of revenue, estimated at from £2,000,000 to £3,000,000 a week, and even if work is speedily resumed the loss of traffic and dislocation of industry must continue to affect railway receipts adversely for some time to come. Other factors, such as the operation of the sliding scale for wages and the general trend of prices, must also be taken into account, and in all the circumstances, I see no prospect of any reduction in railway charges in the near future, but the whole position will be most carefully reviewed before the end of the period of possession, to see that the charges are not unduly high.