MR. T. F. RICHARDSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that it is becoming a common practice to compel motor 'bus drivers to drive their 'buses on the piecework system, by which they must complete a certain mileage to secure a day's pay, varying from thirteen to nineteen hours per day (often without intervals for food); and whether, in the interest of public safety, he will, at an early date, introduce legislation that would secure a maximum working day at this work of nine hours per day.
§ *MR. GLADSTONEMotor 'bus drivers in some instances receive their full rate of pay for the performance of a fixed number of journeys per day. For lost journeys some deduction is made. I understand that the hours of work of motor drivers average about nine and a half daily, except in the case of the Vanguard Company, who on one route employ their drivers for thirteen and a half hours a day, giving them one day's rest in three. The average day on this route is thus one of nine hours.