§ 21. Mr. HASLAMasked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information respecting increases on fares charged by omnibus companies in consequence of the duty on petrol?
§ Colonel ASHLEYMy attention has been called to some cases in which omnibus proprietors have imposed additional charges which are alleged to be in respect of duty, but I have no complete information on the subject.
§ Mr. PALINGDoes that mean that in face of the evidence which has been given since the Petrol Duty was introduced, and in face of the fact that the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that the public had to be protected, the right hon. Gentleman is not going to do anything?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHADoes the Minister of Transport intend to take no steps in cases of this kind?
§ Mr. HASLAMIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the profiteering of certain omnibus companies who are issuing special tickets, and does he consider that those tickets represent the just amount of the tax?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI agree that in certain cases there has been gross profiteering, and that was referred to by the Chancellor of the Exchequer last night.
§ Mr. OAKLEY rose——
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot spend too much time on each question.