V. Peak pricing
60. At the start of the inquiry, we invited specific
comment on pricing mechanisms. The concept of peak and off-peak
pricing, by which higher prices might be charged at peak times
(or lower prices at off-peak times), received almost no support
from witnesses. The IPU suggested that they "would send out
the wrong message",[90]
and others voiced similar concerns.[91]
The House's Board of Management pointed out that some staff had
"little or no discretion" about the time they took their
meal breaks.[92] The
Refreshment Department User Group and the TUS took a similar line,
although they were not opposed to the introduction of discounts
at off-peak times.[93]
However, we suspect that in practice, off-peak discounts would
be seen as being no different from peak supplements. In all,
there is little to be said in favour of "peak" pricing,
and we are opposed to the idea. We suspect that it would be
difficult to enforce.
90 Ev 19. Back
91
Q 30; Ev 6 and 54. Back
92
Ev 12. Back
93
Ev 1 and 31. Back
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