asked the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take to achieve the level of stability in rail fares which he said should be reached in his answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery) on 27th October 1976, Official Report, c. 444.

Stability in rail fares, as with prices generally, can only be achieved by controlling inflation, relating the provision of services to needs.