§ 20. Mr. GROVESasked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the number of hours per day that drivers and conductors of the Hill-man coaches are required to work; and whether he will, in accordance with the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, cause investigation to be made into these cases?
§ Captain AUSTIN HUDSON(Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. Last year any hon. Friend the Minister of Transport received two communications from private individuals on this matter. I understand that proceedings were taken successfully under Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act in respect of the hours of duty of drivers employed by this firm. Section S3 of the Act provides that representations as to wages and conditions of employment in connection with public service vehicles 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.