HC Deb 21 April 1937 vol 322 c1751
55. Vice-Admiral Taylor

asked the Minister of Transport his reasons for limiting to stage carriages the regulations which he proposes to make extending the duration of the period of a road service licence from one year to three years, and for omitting express carriages from a similar extension of period?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

In general, express carriage services cover longer distances and are more liable to variations than stage services. I have, therefore, decided to restrict this experimental extension to the latter.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the experiment has been going on for some time, and that this discrimination between these two services, both rendering public service to the travelling public, is a very severe handicap when the licence is granted only for one year, and will he not reconsider his decision?

Mr. Hore-Belisha

That is the first time that I have heard that, and I am always ready to reconsider any decision if fresh facts are brought to light.

Vice-Admiral Taylor

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that it is most unfair to discriminate in this way between these two services?