§ 35. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken to co-ordinate the varying conditions reached by various traffic com missioners in respect of the same motor coach services which pass through their areas?
§ Mr. PARKINSONThe conditions to be attached to a road service licence fall to be determined, in the first instance, by the traffic commissioners concerned, having regard, amongst other things, to the traffic conditions existing in their own area. I hope that when further experience has been gained it may be possible for the commissioners to standardise such conditions as may prove to be generally applicable to a particular type of service. To these would be added such special local conditions as might be necessary.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEIs the hon. Gentleman not aware that, owing to the varying decisions, in the same districts more or less, char-a-banc proprietors do not know whether they stand at the present time?
§ Mr. PARKINSONI am aware of that fact. The chairman of the commissioners has nominated a sub-committee to consider the whole question.
§ 36. Mr. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Transport the approximate number of people employed by the motor coach services of the country; the amount of capital invested; and the estimated number of passengers carried in the course of the year?
§ Mr. PARKINSONMy right hon. Friend is not in possession of the information desired by the hon. Member.
§ Mr. SOMERVILLEWill it be possible to obtain the information?
§ Mr. PARKINSONYes. The information can be secured under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, but it will take some time to collect the facts.
§ 37. Mr. SOMERVILLEasked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the uncertainty which exists all over the country in respect of motor-coach services, he proposes to take any steps to expedite the investigations of the traffic commissioners; and whether he will consider the desirability of allowing all existing motor-coach services to continue during the present summer, with the object of avoiding unemployment and enabling the public to know exactly what holiday facilities exist, it being understood that the recommendations of the commissioners will only become operative in the autumn?
§ Mr. PARKINSONUnder the provisions of the Public Service Vehicles (Transitory Provisions) Order, an applicant for a road service licence who was operating a service on 9th February, 1931, can continue to run that service pending the grant or refusal of his application by the Commissioners. Similarly a seasonal service operated during the 12 months ended 31st March last can be run during the corresponding period or periods of this year. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend sees no reason for taking action on the lines suggested by the hon. Member.