§ 38. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Transport whether he has now received amended schedules from omnibus companies operating on North London routes, giving details of recent increases of fares; and will he state the routes concerned?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)Certain omnibus proprietors operating in North London have recently deposited amended schedules in respect of approved routes numbers 29, 1966 529 and 538, from which it appears that certain of the fares charged have been increased.
§ Mr. MORRISONIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied that the only result of all the representations from the local authorities in the North of London and of all the deputations he has received is that the people in North London are going to have reduced services and higher fares?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIt is within the province of local authorities to make an appeal to me, and, if they do make an appeal to me, and if the fares are unduly high, I can order them to be lowered.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say if, in the case of all omnibus routes in London, any increase of fares has to be assented to by the Traffic Advisory Committee or not; whether they have any power of revision in respect of an increase of fares?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo, but, if any local authority in the London traffic area thinks that the fares charged in that area are unduly high, they can appeal to me, and I can, if I think their complaint is justified, order the fares to be reduced.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDIs there any other body or person who can appeal?
§ Colonel ASHLEYit must be a local authority.
§ Mr. AUSTIN HOPKINSONAre not these increases of fares due to the increased rationalisation of the London traffic?