§ Amendment made: In page 39, line 5, leave out the words "and charges."—[Mr. Pybus.]
§ Sir K. VAUGHAN-MORGANI beg to move, in page 39, line 7, at the end, to add the words:
which shall include provisions for advertising any such alteration in a newspaper and inside all passenger vehicles to which the alteration relates and at the public offices of the undertaking concerned for a period of not less than twenty-eight days before the alteration comes into force.6.1 p.m.This is to ensure that the utmost reasonable warning shall be given of any intention on the part of the Transport Board of varying fares or altering facilities, so that those who are chiefly concerned, the passengers, shall have ample opportunity of knowing in advance what alterations it is proposed to make. We suggest that any alteration shall be announced not only in the newspapers but also in the place where the passenger is most likely to be able to observe it, that is to say, inside the vehicle to which the alteration may apply as well as at the public offices of the undertaking and so on. We seek to fix the reasonable period before the alteration comes into force at 28 days. I do not think I need further insist on the importance and the reasonable character of the Amendment and I trust that the Minister, now that he is in a conciliatory frame of mind, will accept it with the same pleasing graciousness that characterised the last.
§ 6.2 p.m.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMThe manner in which the board is to give public notice of reductions or increases of fares is to be prescribed in regulations to be laid down by the Minister. That was settled by the Joint Committee in agreement with the county council. The Clause applies to all fares on all railways, omnibus or tramway undertakings of the board. Obviously, the manner of giving 1480 notice would not be the same in all cases. For instance, it would be impossible to put up a notice in every railway carriage, whereas it might be possible and convenient to put it up in omnibuses. The further requirement suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend of publishing the details in the Press would be an extremely expensive form of amusement for the board, and it might have the effect of adding to the fares by adding to the 'charges which the board will have to meet. It seems to me that he is expecting the board to do too much in this way. I should like him to remember that railways and tramways are subject to statutory restriction of fares and that omnibuses operating in London are not at present restricted as to the fares they may charge, nor are any of the present operators required to give notice of alteration. In the circumstances, we cannot see why the board should be put to this great inconvenience and unnecessary expenditure, and I cannot accept the Amendment.
§ 6.4 p.m.
§ Sir K. VAUGHAN-MORGANI am obliged for the information, though I regret the substance of it. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will allow me to point out that, since the Bill received the consideration of the Joint Committee, the activities of the Minister have been substantially curtailed, and I am not sure that it will be within the ambit of his functions to lay clown regulations as originally proposed. Secondly, may I remind him that, while omnibus proprietors now are not under obligation to give notice about their fares and are free to alter them, in the future. conditions will be quite different from what they are to-day. Passengers will be subjected to this monopoly, and it is for that reason that it is important that they should be warned, so that the operations of the Transport Board may receive proper public scrutiny. His attitude seems to be one of suppressing the truth so far as publicity as to what is to be done is concerned. This is really very regrettable. In the future there will be a, monopoly, whereas now the passenger can always go from one supplier of accommodation to another. My hon. and gallant Friend's point is a good one with regard to railway vehicles. It might be very difficult to post all these alterations 1481 in every railway compartment or in every railway vehicle, but in that case I should like him to have the notices exposed in the railway stations. I will not press the Amendment if be will promise to give it further consideration before Report.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAMMy hon. Friend will give due attention to what my hon. and gallant Friend has said.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.