§ Mr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will give general directions to the British Railways Board and the National Bus 17W Company that they should make half fares available for all journeys undertaken by persons of compulsory school age.
§ Mr. William RodgersI have frequently expressed the view that the provision of free travel for children up to the age of five and half-fares for those aged 5–16 would be very desirable. I fully recognise the extent to which anomalies exist and the irritation they cause. However, I am not in a position to direct operators on their fare structures.