§ 2. Mr. SHORTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the increases in omnibus and tramway fares in the Metropolis; and whether he will consider the advisability, in the interests of the travelling public, of setting up a Committee of Inquiry to consider this matter?
§ Sir A. GEDDESMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, within whose jurisdiction the matter falls, is making inquiries in regard to omnibus fares in the Metropolis. As regards tramways, it is necessary for any undertaking desiring to raise fares above the statutory maxima to apply to the Board of Trade under the Statutory Undertakings (Increase of Charges) Act, 1918. Notice has to be given of the application, and parties interested have the opportunity to object. In a recent case affecting the Metropolitan area over twenty local authorities were represented at a meeting to consider certain proposals, they had full opportunity of investigating the position of the undertaking, and they agreed that a case for an increase was made out. Where an undertaking, as in another recent instance, increases fares but without exceeding the maxima authorised by Parliament, no case for inquiry would appear to arise.