§ 28. Mr. BOWERMANasked the Home Secretary whether, before giving permission for the licensing of boy conductors, he consulted the representatives of the men's unions; and, if not, whether he will suspend his sanction to the Order until he has received representations from the men most intimately concerned?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The application for the Order was made by the London County Council in the interests of safety, and it was clearly stated that the assistants would not in any case displace the licensed conductors. In answer to the second part of the question, the Order has already come into force, but in the first instance it will be tried experimentally on one or two routes, and I am prepared to consider any representations the union may make.