§ 92. Mr. LAWSONasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that increases of omnibus fares have been notified by the companies on many routes in the north-eastern area; whether these have been sanctioned by the area Traffic Commissioners; and what steps he intends to take to protect the public against these increases?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Pybus)Traffic Commissioners have power to attach conditions to road service licences, for securing that fares shall not be unreasonable and that, where desirable in the public interest, fares shall be so fixed as to prevent wasteful competition with alternative forms of transport. They also have power at any 769 time to vary the conditions attached to a road service licence, and will, I am sure, give careful consideration to any representations which may be made to them by any responsible body, such as a local authority, on the question of fares.
§ Mr. LAWSON.Do I take it, then, that the hon. Gentleman means that the fares have been increased?
§ Mr. PYBUSI mean that, whether they have been increased or decreased, if anybody has a grievance in the matter he has a perfect right, through some appropriate body, to apply to the commissioners.
§ Mr. LAWSONI ask in the question on the Paper whether increases of fares have been notified by the companies on many of the north-eastern routes. Is that a fact?
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Ministry is becoming known as the Ministry for obstructing transport?
§ Mr. LAWSONWhat opportunities have the public of presenting their case against these increases?
§ Mr. PYBUSAny aggrieved persons can make representations through the appropriate local authority to have their case examined by the commissioners. I would also point out to the hon. Member that two of the three commissioners are representatives of local authorities.