§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what rate(a) the retail prices index, and (b) the retail prices of rail and bus fares have increased since January 1987; what effect Government policy has had on the level of rail and bus fares; and if he will publish a table showing the corresponding increase in real earnings in the rail and bus industries compared with the increase in earnings of white collar workers in the private sector.
§ Mr. FreemanThe data requested are shown in the tables. Detailed rail and bus fare levels are a matter for the operators. Ministers are consulted when British Rail fares are revised in view of their role in setting the financial framework within which British Rail operates. Bus deregulation outside London has promoted competition and reduced operating costs, thereby leading to downward pressure on bus fares.
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Fare indices and the RPI: United Kingdom, 1987–93 January 1987=100 Dale Rail fares1 Local bus fares in Great Britain Retail Prices Index January 1987 100.0 100.0 100.0 January 1988 107.1 106.4 103.3 January 1989 117.4 112.8 111.0 January 1990 117.4 120.7 119.5 January 1991 140.3 136.8 130.2 January 1992 150.7 145.8 135.6 January 1993 161.6 153.5 137.9 1 Supplied by the Central Statistical Office. Includes rail fares other than British Rail.
Average earnings,1 by industry and sector: Great Britain, 1987–92 1992 prices2 £ per week at April Date Railways industry Scheduled road passenger transport and urban railways industry Private sector non-manual April 1987 284 260 304 April 1988 293 261 325 April 1989 296 253 331 April 1990 274 264 333 April 1991 301 264 332 April 1992 307 275 338 1 Full-time employees on adult rates. Derived from the New Earnings Survey published by the Department of Employment. 2 Constant prices derived using the RPI deflator.