§ 50. Captain GARRO-JONESasked the Minister of Transport whether he will publish, in so far as they relate to London, a summary of the representations received up to 3rd May from five local councils and four associations on the subject of increased passenger fares, together with the full replies of the companies concerned?
§ Colonel ASHLEYWhen I have received and considered the replies of the companies concerned, I propose, in ordinary course, to communicate with the authorities from whom I have received representations.
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think, none, but I hope to get the most important one tomorrow.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESWill the right hon. Gentleman communicate to the authorities the replies he receives from the companies?
§ Colonel ASHLEYNo doubt my communications will be almost entirely based on the replies I receive from the companies.
§ Captain GARRO-JONESIs there any reason why there should be secrecy maintained in these matters? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman undertake to publish the replies he receives?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThere is nothing to prevent these five local authorities and four associations sending to the newspapers the applications they have sent to me.
§ Mr. CRAWFURDWill it be possible to say what additional toll has been extracted from the public by this additional monopoly that has been created?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThat has nothing to do with the question.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIn effect, does it not mean that there is only one omnibus company concerned?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think the London General Omnibus Company, of course, is easily the predominant company concerned.
§ Mr. THURTLEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not realise that what we want to know is what the companies have to say in defence of this raising of the fares, and cannot he have the text of that defence published?
§ Colonel ASHLEYIf and when the local authorities make proper application to me to adjudicate in relation to the matter, I will go into the whole matter, and no doubt the decision that I come to will be made public.