HC Deb 21 May 1996 vol 278 c125W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussion he has had with the Office of the Franchise Director regarding administrative charges by rail franchises for refunding unused rail tickets; what the outcome of those discussions were; what controls have been placed on rail franchisees with respect to administrative charges; and if he will make a statement. [29628]

Mr. Watts

None. Under condition 25 of the national conditions of carriage, train operators are allowed to make a reasonable administrative charge when refunding unused rail tickets.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what power the Rail Regulator has to control the administrative fees charged by rail franchisees when refunding unused rail tickets. [29629]

Mr. Watts

Refund on unused rail tickets are covered by the national conditions of carriage, approved by the Rail Regulator under condition 7 of each operator's passenger licence. The national conditions of carriage allow a reasonable administrative charge to be made. If a train operator was to charge an excessive amount, he could be in breach of his licence obligation and subject to the regulator's enforcement powers.