HC Deb 08 July 1931 vol 254 cc2072-3
25. Mr. BATEY

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware, that the commissioners of the northern area have compelled the omnibus owners to increase their fares from 6d. to 9d. per day for carrying miners to and from their work; and if, owing to the low rates of wages being paid in the Durham coalfields, he will take steps to see that the old fares are restored?

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

My attention has not been called to the matter except in the correspondence forwarded to me by my hon. Friend on 24th June. As I explained to him in my reply, I have no jurisdiction in the matter of the conditions attached to a road service licence by the Traffic Commissioners except on an appeal under Section 81 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

Mr. BATEY

But when a Member of Parliament sends a complaint to the Minister, will not the Minister regard it as an appeal, especially in a case like the present one, where the fares have been increased to men who cannot afford to pay an increase?

Mr. MORRISON

My hon. Friend, with great respect, is not qualified to make an appeal under the Road Traffic Act. Members of Parliament are not qualified under the Act, and I must be careful about submitting to political pressure in a judicial function.

Mr. MACLEAN

Are we to understand from the statement of the Minister that now the Road Traffic Act has been passed all control of road traffic has passed entirely from this House and cannot be resumed by it?

Mr. MORRISON

Parliament can always dismiss the Minister if it has a mind to do so. Parliament laid it down that applications should go to the Traffic Commissioners, who should hear them upon evidence and decide them fairly. An appeal rests from them to me, and I must hear the evidence; I must hear appeals and settle them judicially. If once I submit to Parliamentary pressure upon an individual case, then Parliament ought to dismiss me as soon as possible.

Mr. HARRIS

Is this the kind of thing that will happen when the London Traffic Bill comes into operation?