Transport peer 'could not afford' rail fare

The government's transport spokesman in the House of Lords has told peers he had to cancel a trip because he could not afford the train fare from London to Birmingham.

Earl Attlee told peers: "One day I wanted to go to the NEC to visit the motor show and I could not afford the walk-up fare. Just too expensive for me."

The Conservative peer had come under pressure in the House of Lords to defend rises in ticket prices.