§ 85. Mr. Skinnardasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that recent increases in suburban fares and season ticket rates by the main line railway companies, have led in certain areas, to anomalies and that the previous benefit of competition between wholly L.P.T.B. routes and partly main line routes under which the same fares were charged for comparable journeys has been ignored, creating the possibility of a serious diversion of passengers to the cheaper routes; and whether he will consider the restoration of the competing fares pending the conclusion of the present inquiry on L.P.T.B. rates.
§ Mr. BarnesI was aware that the exclusion of the London Passenger Transport Board's railway fares from the increases which came into force on 1st July would disturb relationships with fares on the suburban services of the main line railways, but, as I explained to the House on 29th May, an immediate increase in the main line companies' charges was necessary. The inquiry by the Charges Consultative Committee into the adjustments to be made in the Board's fares has recently concluded and I propose to consider the matter further when I have the Committee's report.
§ 87. Mr. P. Wellsasked the Minister of Transport why the charge for a quarterly season ticket between London and Faversham, distance 52 miles, costs 26s. 1d. more than a ticket between Whit-stable and London, distance 59 miles; and whether he will make a reduction in the case of Faversham.
§ Mr. BarnesThe season ticket between London and Faversham to which my hon. Friend refers is available for journeys between intermediate points and is in accordance with standard conditions; that between Whitstable and London is restricted to direct journeys. A season ticket with intermediate availability between Whitstable and London costs more than the corresponding ticket between Faversham and London.