HC Deb 05 December 1934 vol 295 cc1577-8
35. Mr. LEONARD

asked the Minister of Transport if he aware that in a recent prosecution an inspector of the London Passenger Transport Board stated in evidence that it was the duty of passengers desirous of leaving a vehicle and whose fare had not been collected to give their fare to the nearest passenger; and whether, in view of the difficulty imposed upon a passenger in such circumstances, he is prepared to urge all road passenger transport undertakings to adopt the practice in vogue in Glasgow for many years of having an uncollected-fares box on the vehicle's platform?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

My attention had not previously been drawn to this matter. The Regulations require a passenger whose fare has not been demanded to pay it to the conductor before leaving the vehicle. It is the conductor's duty to collect fares and I do not see any need for action on the lines indicated in the second part of the question.

Mr. LEONARD

As many passengers are inconvenienced because of the impossibility of paying the conductor, who has too much work to do, will the hon. Gentleman adopt the suggestion in the question in view of the fact that in Glasgow they collect an income of over £1,000 a year by this simple expedient

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I shall be happy to receive any information as to what happens in Glasgow.

Mr. BURNETT

Is my hon. Friend aware that in Aberdeen we adopt this system and that it is most successful in getting uncollected fares from the Glasgow visitors to our city?

Mr. KIRKWOOD

Is there anything left in the boxes in Aberdeen?