Railway Fares

HC Deb 08 March 1976 vol 907 cc4-5W

34. Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to have commuter fares included in the price check scheme.

35. Mr. Newton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to have commuter rail fares included within the price check scheme.

Dr. Gilbert

Commuter rail fares could be brought within the scheme only if Government support for the railways were increased at the expense of other vital programmes, such as housing or the attack on unemployment.

Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the percentage rise in commuter rail fares since she took office; and what reductions, if any, in British Rail fare applications have resulted from references to the Price Commission.

Mr. Crosland

Between about 60 per cent. and 80 per cent. to date, depending on the service, class of travel and type of ticket. No reductions in rail fares have resulted from references to the Commission.