§ MR. PENROSE FITZGERALD (Cambridge)I wish to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to complaints that have been made to the police authorities of the bad condition and unfitness of the horses being worked in certain omnibuses in London; and whether he proposes to take any steps towards putting a stop to the practice of using unfit horses in public vehicles by giving the police authorities power to withhold or withdraw licenses from proprietors who do not possess horses adequate, in the opinion of said authorities, for the services they undertake to perform, or otherwise?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI am informed by the Commissioner of Police that during the year he has received complaints as to the unfitness of horses from six private persons. In consequence of these complaints inspection was ordered by the Commissioner of Police in exercise of the power vested in him by 16 and 17 Vict., c. 33, s. 2, and a veterinary surgeon was called in to report on the studs of three proprietors. In the case of two of these proprietors the inspection showed that the horses were all fit for work. In the case of the third proprietor four horses were reported unfit. If these horses are worked notices as usual will be issued, and if they are disregarded the license is liable to be revoked. The police are fully alive to their duties in this respect, and, in the opinion of the Commissioner, the provisions of the existing law are adequate for the purpose.
§ MR. O'HANLON (Cavan, E.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that omnibus companies and tramway companies increase their fares by double the amount on Bank holidays?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!