§ 20. Mr. HARRISasked the Minister of Transport how many licences for omnibuses to ply for hire on the streets of London originally granted to other proprietors have been transferred or granted to the London General Omnibus Company, who have bought out the interests of the original proprietors?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe issue of licences for omnibuses is a matter for the Commissioner of Police, but Regulations have bean made by me under Section 7 of the London Traffic Act, 1924, permitting the London General Omnibus Company, Limited, to operate the journeys over streets unrestricted under that Section formerly run by 210 omnibuses which the company have acquired from other proprietors.
§ Mr. HARRISDoes not this prove that this omnibus company has secured a monopoly by buying up all the other lines of buses, as was anticipated by me when the Bill was before the House?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThey are buying up omnibuses, but they are being run exactly under the same conditions as heretofore.