MPs debate rail fares

Rail fares

The motion in the name of the Shadow Transport Secretary stated that "This House believes that the rising cost of rail travel is adding to the financial pressures facing many households; and calls on the Government to restore the one per cent above inflation cap on annual fare rises for 2013 and 2014, and to ban train operators from increasing fare beyond that strict limit".

The motion was defeated on a division (Ayes 231; Noes 294).

Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin responded on behalf of the Government.

Watch and read the views expressed by MPs during the debate on Parliament TV and in Commons Hansard. Also find parliamentary material on railways in the Topics and News sections.

• Parliament TV: Opposition debate on rail fares
• Commons Hansard: Opposition debate on rail fares
• Topics: Railways
• News: Railways

Opposition day debates

Opposition days are days allocated in the House of Commons in each session for the discussion of subjects chosen by the Opposition. Seventeen days are at the disposal of the leader of the largest opposition party to decide which topics are debated. Three days are also allocated to the other smaller opposition parties.

The Opposition generally use them to raise questions of policy and administration. Frequently, two separate subjects are debated on an opposition day.

• About Parliament: Main business (debates)