§ 41. Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from bus operating subsidiaries of the National Bus Company about the effect of the prices code on their revenues and their consequent need for increased subsidies and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. GilbertThe National Bus Company has told the Department of problems it saw arising from the Price Code, in relation to fares increases. These increases are determined by the independent Traffic Commissioners, who are required to have regard to the Code. I have no reason to suppose that they see its purpose as being to force any undertaking to operate at a loss. It is for each NBC subsidiary to make the case for whatever fares increases it judges necessary, and to seek to show that these do not conflict with the principles of the Code.