asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will refer to the National Board for Prices and Incomes the increases in bus fares recently approved by the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners for certain operators in the Doncaster rural area.

As my right hon. Friend explained in reply to a Question on 22nd July, he and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport are watching the position closely, but take the view that the existing statutory procedures for regulating provincial bus fares ensure that the national interest is taken into account.