§ MR. J. ROWLANDS (Finsbury, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, as the authority having control over the hackney carriages in the Metropolis, his attention has been called to the great increase in the omnibus fares, in many cases of 100 per cent.; and whether he has any power over the omnibus owners and their charges?
§ MR. ASQUITHMy attention has been called to the increase in omnibus fares, but a proprietor may charge what he likes so long as he keeps distinctly painted in a conspicuous manner, inside the omnibus, a table of fares, which are deemed to be the only lawful fares. So long as this condition is complied with, I have no power to interfere.