§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the factory workers in the textile industry in the Dunfermline, West Fife, and Kinross districts are being heavily hit by the increases on workmen's fares; that these increases vary from 75 per cent. to 133⅓ per cent.; and whether, especially in view of the fact that work in the industry is slack and the workers are unable to earn higher wages to meet the high cost of living, consideration will be given to the possibility of altering these increases to a uniform 75 per cent. above pre-war rates?
§ Mr. NEALThe fares now being charged for workmen's tickets are in accordance with the new scale recommended by the Rates Advisory Committee after careful enquiry, and subject to the stipulation they recommended that no increase should exceed 200 per cent. and the further important limitation made by the Cabinet that no increase should exceed 2s. per week. The scale, subject to these limitations, is in operation throughout the country and the hon. Member will, I am sure, realise that it would be impracticable and unfair to make any exception in favour of any particular district.