8. Mr. DOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the many complaints regarding the greatly increased fares charged on tramways under the management of public bodies, rivalling, if not exceeding, the charges on omnibuses owned by companies which are seeking to make a, dividend; and whether, seeing that the object of Parliament in granting the London County Council and similar authorities a practical monopoly of the public thoroughfares was to serve the interests of the community rather than to 889 earn a dividend, before granting additional powers to these bodies, he will make it a condition that the claims of the travelling public shall have first consideration?
§ Sir E. GEDDESCertain tramway undertakers have been empowered to increase fares in accordance with the provision of the Statutory Undertakings (Temporary Increase of Charges) Act, 1918. Where the undertakers are a local authority, no modification may be authorised which will in any case increase the statutory maximum by more than 50 per cent. or by an amount which is more than sufficient to enable the undertaking to be carried on without loss. In view of the increases in wages and other expenses, increased charges are in some cases warranted; but the hon. Member may rest assured that the claims of the travelling public are given full weight in connection with the consideration of all such applications.