§ 34. Mr. REMER (for Mr. THORP)asked the Minister of Transport why an application of the Thames Valley Traction Company, Limited, of Reading, for a licence to run stage coaches between High Wycombe and Lane End was appointed by the Traffic Commissioners for the southern area to be heard at Weymouth, more than 100 miles away, although the head office of the Commissioners is at Reading and they also hold sittings at Oxford and at High Wycombe; whether he is aware that 18 other applications were also fixed for hearing either at Weymouth or at Dorchester, both over 100 miles away; and whether he will direct the Commissioners to have more regard to the convenience of applicants?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)Under Section 64 of the Road Traffic Act, the Commissioners are required to hold public sittings at such places in their area as appear to them convenient, and I am
§ assured that, in exercising their discretion, it is their normal practice to have regard to the convenience of operators. I am, however, causing a copy of the hon. Member's question to be circulated to the Traffic Commissioners concerned.