§ Mr. Fosterasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware of the effect of the last increase in railway passenger fares on the increasing number travelling by omnibuses on the roads for short journeys; and will he consider the advisability of reducing such fares and bringing them in line with omnibus fares for similar journeys so as to relieve congestion on the roads and effect a saving of petrol and rubber?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI cannot accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that the abolition1226W of cheap day fares has caused any general or considerable diversion of passenger traffic from rail to road, and I have received no evidence which supports that view. I regret that it is not practicable to reduce local railway fares, for the reasons which I gave in an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for the Forest of Dean (Mr. Price) on 7th April.