§ 25 and 26. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Transport (1) on whose initiative the Yorkshire traffic commissioners are considering curtailment of the omnibus service between Doncaster and Thorne; and whether consideration will be given to the possibility that further unemployment will be created by limiting the service;
(2) whether it was on the initiative of the omnibus proprietors plying for hire between Doncaster and Thorne or of the traffic commissioners that the issue of return fares has been abolished; and whether any opportunity was afforded for representatives of the travelling public to state a case?
Mr. STANLEYThe only information I have as to these variations is that published in the Official "Notices and Proceedings" of the Traffic Commissioners for the Yorkshire Area, Nos. 100 and 111, in which any person who desired to object 755 to the proposed variations was invited to give notice in writing to the traffic commissioners. The Road Traffic Act, 1930, grants certain rights of appeal to me against decisions of the traffic commissioners, and if any valid appeal is made to me in the matter, I shall arrive at a decision on the appeal after full consideration of all the circumstances of the case.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan an appeal to the Minister be lodged regarding the abolition of return fares, as well as the suggested curtailment of the service in this particular area?
§ Mr. WILLIAMSWould the hon. Gentleman communicate with the Commissioners and point out to them how badly this will affect all people who must travel in this area, and particularly the parents of the school children who must travel over this route in order to attend the grammar schools and receive the benefit of the educational facilities available?
Mr. STANLEYI will certainly communicate with the Commissioners and find out the facts with regard to the application, but it would be outside the duties which Parliament has placed upon me to make any such communication as the hon. Member suggests.