§ 32. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that certain transport companies in South Yorkshire are compelling omnibus drivers to work on and off for periods as long as 14 hours per day; and will he state what steps his Department have taken or intend to take to improve the conditions of these men?
§ Mr. PYBUSNo complaints of this nature have reached me from South Yorkshire. Section 93 of the Road Traffic Act provides that the payment 1636 of fair wages and the observance of proper conditions of employment shall be required in connection with the grant of a road service licence. It is further provided that representations on such matters may be made to the Traffic Commissioners by any organisation representative of persons engaged in the road transport industry and that if the matter in dispute cannot otherwise be disposed of it shall be referred by the Minister of Labour to the Industrial Court for settlement.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs my hon. Friend not aware that the Yorkshire Traction Company are compelling sonic of their omnibus drivers to work from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 11 p.m. to 12 midnight in one 24 hours for an eight hour wage, and does he think those terms are even decent?
§ Mr. PYBUSI dealt with that point when I said that representatives of the people engaged in the Road Transport industry can make complaints, and that does not appear to have been done.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSDoes the hon. Member not think that his Department has some responsibility for the safety of the public?