§ 62. Major COLFOX (for Major EDMONDSON)asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that anxiety exists among certain public conveyance proprietors, particularly in rural areas, with regard to the new regulations in connection with the design and construction of motor omnibuses; and will be take steps to ensure that the regulations are applied in such a manner as to entail the least possible hardship upon the small owner?
§ Mr. THURTLE (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has already amended the original regulations with a view to meeting the case of owners of existing vehicles in certain particulars, but he is bound to retain requirements, which he considers essential in the interests of public safety. I may add that the requirements generally are based on recommendations of the Departmental Committee on the licensing and regulation of public service vehicles which reported in the year 1925, and it has long been known both to manufacturers and to operators that requirements of this nature would be imposed as soon as the legislation necessary to enforce them was passed.