§ 81. Mr. WADDINGTONasked the Minister of Transport how many applications for omnibus licences have been refused by local authorities since 1st January, 1921, and of this number how many have since been issued in consequence of representations made by him to the local authorities; and what number of licences have been issued by him against the decision of the local authorities.
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am not in possession of information in the precise form in which it is sought by my hon. Friend. The number of appeals under Section 14 (3) of the Roads Act, 1920, made to the Minister and disposed of by him since 1st January, 1921, is 262. 104 of the appeals were disallowed. In 155 of the cases, settlement by agreement was reached in consequence of representations made either at the inquiry or by the Minister, but my Department is not necessarily informed by the parties of the terms of settlement. The Minister has no power to issue licences; but in three cases only, Orders have been made by him requiring licensing authorities to do so.
§ Mr. WADDINGTONDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is n proper exercise of his powers to override the decision of the local authorities, 1123 who have the best knowledge of the circumstances?
§ Colonel ASHLEYCertainly I do. This duty—this unpleasant duty—is specifically put upon me by Act of Parliament, but I would point out that there were 262 appeals, and only in three cases did I override them.
§ Mr. B. SMITHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these appeals are generally made to him over the heads of watch committees who are running passenger undertakings, and that such appeals, when they come to him, are, in fact, granted on such terms as to labour conditions and wages as to ruin the municipal property?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI cannot accept the hon. Member's statement of facts. I have a duty cast upon me. I hold a local inquiry, in which all parties can be heard. and, as I say, out of 262 cases, in only three cases has the Minister overruled the local authority.
§ Mr. SMITHCannot the right hon. Gentleman insist that some fair-wage conditions should be applied wherever a licence is granted?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThis has nothing whatever to do with fair wages.
§ Mr. WADDINGTONIs it not the fact that in the communication which the Minister of Transport sends to the local authorities, when he draws attention to the refusal to licence, he informs them, that unless they are prepared to grant a licence, he will issue a licence, and that in fact, compels the authorities to grant the licence?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI always endeavour to bring all parties together, and in 155 cases out of the 262 coming to me the two parties have come together and made an amicable arrangement.
§ Mr. MACKINDERIs it not a fact that the Minister has told the Bradford Corporation that they must issue a licence?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think that is so. The duty is put upon me by Act of Parliament, and in my judicial capacity, having heard the whole evidence, I give a decision.
§ Captain BOWYERMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether the recent decision of his at Northampton came within the three cases or within the 150 cases?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think I must have notice of that. I cannot carry the 262 cases in my head.
§ 83. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Minister of Transport why he has made the licences for approved routes not available to omnibus purchasers even on the death or incapacity of their first holders?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIn speaking of "approved routes," I assume that the hon. and gallant Member wishes to refer to the streets declared to be restricted streets under the Order of 17th February. In the event of the death of any licencee, the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is empowered to transfer the licence to the personal representatives, or to the widow or child, of the deceased person, subject to the transferee complying with the usual conditions attached to the grant of a licence, and this is, in fact, usually done. I would point out, however, that Section 13 of the London Traffic Act specifically declares that nothing in the Act is to be treated as conferring on any omnibus proprietor any right to the continuance of any benefit arising from the grant of a licence.