asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he is satisfied with the arrangements for consumer representation on the subject of rail fares.

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he is satisfied with the arrangements for consumer representations on railway matters.

Paragraph 35 of the White Paper on nationalised industries (Cmnd. 7131), published on 5th April, describes the Government's intention to extend the powers of the Central Transport Consultative Committee and in particular to give it a new power to consider the British Railways Board's general tariff structure.

While welcoming the intention of the Government to give extra powers to the transport users' consultative committees to consider fare increases, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he can explain why, in the circumstances, the Government, on the recent Transport Bill, resisted amendments that would have achieved that result?

The Government will introduce legislation to bring about the intended effect as soon as it is possible to do so.

Will my hon. Friend congratulate British Rail on its initiative last weekend in giving the elderly the opportunity to travel free on the railways? Is not this a good example of public enterprise which could perhaps be taken up by other enterprises?

I have noted a number of examples of sensible promotional work by British Rail of this kind, and indeed its more recent statement that it is looking at the possibility of cheaper fares for families, too.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Does free rail travel come under the subject of prices and consumer protection?

It is no good asking me.