§ 68. Mr. Atkinsasked the Minister of Transport whether, in addition to the discussions which he has announced he will have with London Transport about their financial responsibilities, he will hold similar discussions with British Rail- 174W ways in connection with the services they provide in the London area.
§ Mr. Tom FraserThe considerations affecting British Railways' services in the London area are different from those affecting London Transport's. But I shall certainly bring the Railways Board into consultation if my discussions with the London Transport Board show this to be desirable.
§ 69. Mr. Atkinsasked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes to give to British Railways, in regard to the services provided by them in the London area, the same relief from their statutory obligation to pay their way, taking one year with another, as he has recently given to London Transport and thereby make it unnecessary for British Railways to withdraw unremunerative services.
§ Mr. Tom FraserI have no power to relieve either the British Railways Board or the London Transport Board of their statutory obligations. However, I have given an assurance that if, during the interim period for which the London Board have agreed not to make any fares increases, the Railways Board also decide to forgo an application to the Transport Tribunal for fares increases in the London Passenger Transport Area, any consequential increase in the Board's revenue deficit for 1965 will rank for grant under Section 22 of the Transport Act, 1962.