§ 71. Mr. MUGGERIDGE (for Mr. SORENSEN)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the breaking of regulations concerning standing passengers in omnibuses; and how many prosecutions for this offence in the Metropolitan Police area have taken place during the last 12 months?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Short)As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, it is the considered policy 428 to allow some latitude in the matter of standing passengers during the rush hours, provided the number of standing passengers does not exceed five. Where this number is exceeded or standing passengers are carried at other times of day, action is taken by the police and in the 12 months ended 31st October last proceedings were instituted in 110 cases. In addition proceedings were instituted against conductors of motor coaches in 70 eases.
§ Mr. HARRISWill the Home Secretary try to see that better omnibuses are allowed to ply for hire along those overcrowded routes in the future, so as to prevent straphanging?