§ 103. Mr. Austinasked the Minister of Transport whether, in regard to the proposed increase in passenger rates on the railways, he will consider raising first class 261W fares to 50 per cent. above prewar level and correspondingly reduce the proposed increase in third class fares.
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir. The increases on 1st July will be as already announced. It would, of course, be open to the Charges Consultative Committee to consider any such proposal made to them in connection with their inquiry into the subsequent adjustment of fares.
104. Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Transport whether, as the Government took about £200,000,000 from the railways during the war, he will confer with the Chancellor of the Exchequer with a view to securing an allocation of some of this money to reduce the deficit on the railway receipts and eliminate the need for an increase in passenger fares and freight charges.
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir. As indicated in the statement I made on 29th May, the Exchequer will bear not only the full amount of the deficiency in respect of the first half of this year but also any deficiency that remains after the increased charges come into effect.