71. Mr. FRED HALL (Dulwich)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Deparment if it is proposed to limit the number of licences issued for the running of motor omnibuses in London; if so, whether this action is the result of an agreement with exising companies or is taken in pursuance of the statutory powers of the police; what percentage of the licences issued at the present time are in respect of the vehicles controlled by the London General Omnibus Company; and what steps the Government proposes to take, if such a limitation be decided upon, effectively to secure the interests of the travelling public, both as regards the fares charged and the provision of adequate means of communication in districts where the traffic is not of a dividend-paying character?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)I am advised that I have no power to limit the number of licences issued for motor omnibuses in London. So much of the question as is consequent upon the suggestion of limitation of numbers, therefore, does not arise. The total number of motor omnibus licences issued during the twelve months ended 29th November was 2,797, and of this number 2,327 were issued to the London General Omnibus Company.