§ 47. Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what request he has received from the British Transport Commission on the 81W question of increasing passenger fares or freight rates to meet the cost of the recent offer of a wage increase; and what has been the nature of his reply.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe Commission intends to meet by far the greater part of the cost of the wage increase by reductions in working expenses. The Chairman told me in his letter of 2nd May that the Commission does not propose to make any general increase in fares or charges but it will continue to adjust freight rates for selected traffics within its existing charging powers. It also intends to apply to the Transport Tribunal for fresh powers which are necessary if it is to be able to make limited increases on certain passenger services from time to time.