§ 73. Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the secretary of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee has written to each proprietor operating omnibuses in the metropolitan area suggesting that they should contribute to 2096 a voluntary fund to provide compensation for those proprietors who have to withdraw their vehicles from service as a result of regulations made by the Minister, whether such a proposal has been made on his authority, and under whose control would such a fund be?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe suggestion referred to, namely, that the omnibus proprietors should themselves consider the question of setting up a voluntary compensation fund, was made with my concurrence. If such a fund is formed, its control would obviously be a matter for determination by the proprietors concerned. At my request, however, the Committee and its officers have offered, if the suggestion is acceptable, to render any assistance they can in connection with the matter.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes not this policy suggest that we are reducing the facilities for travel at the very time when there is this terrible difficulty—when at certain times of the day it is difficult to get seating accommodation when travelling home?
§ Colonel WEDGWOODMay I ask whether the public are being considered at all in these arrangements that are being made?
§ Colonel ASHLEYYes, the public are being considered, because probably if nothing is done there will be no tramways left, and the public will then have no trams to travel in.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether any response, favourable or unfavourable, has been made to that offer?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo official answer has been received, but I understand the majority of omnibus owners are willing to come into the arrangements.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman willing to consider provincial tramway undertakings in a similar manner?
§ 77. Mr. MORRISONalso asked the Minister of Transport how many omnibus proprietors there were in the London traffic area in December, 1924, and how many there are now?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe number of omnibus proprietors licensed to ply for 2097 hire in the Metropolitan Police District at 31st December, 1924, was 188, while the number at the present time is 212.