§ Mr. MULDOONasked the Secretary to the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the railway return fare from Holyhead to Euston on the London and Northwestern Railway was 35s. 6d. in 1914 and for many years previously, and that it is now 63s., an increase of 88 per cent.; and, if this increase is not authorised by any Order made by the Board, what steps he intends to take?
Sir A. STANLEY:I understand that the third class return fare between Euston and Holyhead was increased last summer from 35s. 6d. to 42s., and was thus brought into closer agreement with the general scale of third class fares in force throughout the country. All ordinary railway fares were increased by 50 per cent, at the beginning of this year under the authority of a Defence of the Realm Regulation. The total increase seems to be one of 77 per cent., but the fare originally was a very low one.