§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish the grounds on which the Strategic Rail Authority agreed to Virgin Trains' proposals for a 10 per cent. increase in rail fares. [157783]
§ Mr. HillThe increases announced by Virgin relate in the main to unregulated fares. Under the terms of its franchise, any increase in unregulated fares is a commercial matter for Virgin. However, in the light of recent disruption on the rail network, and the wish to attract more passengers to rail, the Government find Virgin's announcement regrettable. The Strategic Rail Authority will be meeting representatives from Virgin shortly to discuss the matter.