§ 78. Colonel ASHLEYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the reason for withholding certificates to discharged soldiers under the age of twenty-one who desire to obtain employment as tramcar drivers on the Metropolitan tramway systems; and whether he will take steps to provide that the period during which the police take up the references of a prospective tramcar driver is considerably reduced?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Brace)The age of twenty-one years was fixed on the advice of the Cab Committee in 1894, and the Commissioner of Police, who is the licensing authority, is precluded from granting a licence to any person below that age. My right hon. Friend is prepared, however, as a war measure, to modify the Order and to allow applications from discharged soldiers of the age of twenty who are physically fit for the work. Every effort is made to expedite the inquiries and to see that no avoidable-delay occurs.
§ Colonel ASHLEYWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that concession, could he not lower the age to nineteen; and, in view of the fact that these men are considered fit to have the Parliamentary vote at the age of nineteen, why cannot they at that age drive tramcars?
§ Colonel Sir H. GREENWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that large numbers of these men have been driving lorries in France and on the other fronts, and are, therefore, well qualified to drive tramcars; further, is he aware that the law which now precludes them was passed in 1894, before there were any motor-driven vehicles at all?
§ Mr. BRACEI will consult my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on the point my hon. and gallant Friend has raised.