§ Mr. Oakesasked the Minister of Transport what permission she has given to the Railways Board to raise passenger fares and charges during the period of severe restraint.
§ Mrs. CastleThe British Railways Board have in accordance with the Government's policy for prices and incomes held their passenger fares and charges at the level they were last July. Since their fares were last fixed, they have faced considerable increases in costs, much of which they have absorbed by means of operating economies. I am, however, satisfied that, in view of the need to cover the increases in costs which the Board have not been able to offset and to contain the railway deficit, the Board should be allowed to make certain selective adjustments in their passenger charges.
These include items such as luggage in advance and sleeping berth fees, and also a reduction in the discount on midweek summer concessionary fares and on journeys of over 200 miles and the withdrawal of concessionary rates for merchant seamen not employed by the Ministry of Defence, when travelling off-duty. The Ministry of Defence are considering with the Railways Board arrangements for merchant seamen employed by them. These changes will come in progressively from 2nd April.
There will be no increases in the standard passenger fare nor in season ticket rates.