67. Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Transport how many additional omnibuses were placed on the streets by the London General Omnibus Company and its associated companies during December, 1924; how many of these vehicles were of the obsolete B type; and how many further omnibuses have been placed on the streets since 1st January, 1925, by the combine and by other proprietors, respectively?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am informed that no addition was made during December and January last by the London General Omnibus Company and associated companies to the numbers of omnibuses which were in service prior to 1st December. Sixteen new omnibuses were placed on the streets by the company in January last, but these were in substitution for "B" type vehicles withdrawn from ser- 2066 vice. With regard to other proprietors I have not comparable figures. Ninety-eight omnibuses were licensed to ply for hire in January last, but I am unable to state how many of these were vehicles which had previously been licensed or how many, if any, were substituted vehicles.
Sir F. HALLIs it true, or is it not true, that a large number of obsolete omnibuses were placed on the streets by the London General Omnibus Company during the months of November or December in order that they might have their licences increased?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have no knowledge of that. If my hon. Friend will put down a question I will endeavour to ascertain.
§ Colonel ASHLEYI have not been able to get the information.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman make quite sure that, when the London General Omnibus Company said that these omnibuses were in service they did not mean that they were in a garage ready for such an eventuality as this order.