§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he is aware that charges for the carriage of fruit by passenger train are 20 per cent. higher than a year ago and that, as a result, traffic will be diverted from railways to road; and if he will issue a general direction to the Railways Board to reduce these charges;
(2) why British Railways have been authorised to increase by 10 per cent. their charges for carriage of fruit by passenger train; if he is aware that charges for this type of traffic have increased by 193W 20 per cent. since a year ago; if this is in accordance with the Government's prices and incomes policy; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SwinglerIt has always been accepted that charges for the carriage of particular types of traffic from specific areas are for the commercial judgment of the Railways Board who are not required under the Early Warning procedure to notify the Government of proposed increases. This principle of market pricing has been endorsed by the National Board for Prices and Incomes in their Report No. 72 and we see no case for intervening.