§ 68. Mr. Turtonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that on the Leeds to Alwoodley route the West Yorkshire Omnibus Company provide a monthly contract ticket that permits four journeys per day; and whether he will see that the company provides a similar concession on the York to Haxby route?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe unlimited travel contract tickets between Leeds and Alwoodley have not hitherto been withdrawn on the services of the West Yorkshire Road Car Company because the company operate this route jointly with the Leeds City Corporation, and the arrangements for the withdrawal of contract tickets on the services of the Corporation had not been completed. These arrangements, however, have now been completed, and all contract tickets on the Leeds-Alwoodley services will be withdrawn on Saturday next.
§ Mr. Charles WoodIs my hon. Friend aware that the withdrawal of these tickets by the West Yorkshire Bus Company in the York area will cause considerable hardship? Will he reconsider the whole matter?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am afraid that I could not accept the word "hardship." If my hon. Friend will consult Hansard for about ten days ago, he will see that I think the hardship is very small.
§ 69. Mr. Butcherasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will cause an examination to be made into the present arrangements made at Spalding, Lincolnshire, for putting down and picking up passengers by motor omnibus; and what steps are taken to secure co-ordination between rail and road for the safety and convenience of travellers?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI have not received any evidence of general dissatisfaction with the arrangements at Spalding. If, however, my hon. Friend has any special difficulties in mind, I shall be happy to make inquiries or to discuss them with him.
§ Mr. ButcherWhile thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, may I invite him to refer to the columns of the "Spalding Free Press" before we meet?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir. The Regional Transport Commissioner is actually consulting the local authorities and the police to see whether improvements can be made.
71. Mr. Macleanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that at rush-hours Glasgow Corporation omnibuses travelling between the garage and their work travel on one journey empty and do not pick up passengers either at fare stations or stops; that consequently at rush-hours number of people who could be accommodated in the empty omnibuses and could so get to their homes are left standing for a considerable time; and whether he will cause the Glasgow Transport Committee to consider some method whereby, instead of travelling nonstop and empty, they will stop and pick up passengers?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerThe Regional Transport Commissioner has instructed all operators in the Region that, except for very special reasons, omnibuses on garage runs must take up passengers. If my hon. Friend will let me have details of any particular case he has in mind, I will make further inquiries.
Mr. MacleanAre the Minister and the Traffic Commissioners aware that this practice has been going on for about three years, the buses flying past the stops and, in spite of signalling, making no attempt to stop? It has become a scandal in Glasgow.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerMy hon. Friend must recognise that there are exceptions to the rule which I have just stated, which are necessary because fuller accommodation must be kept available for workers; but, as a general rule, the instruction has been given, and I think it is being obeyed.
Mr. MacleanIf the Minister will look at my Question, I think he will find that it does not refer to buses going to the garage but to buses going from the garage to the works to pick workmen up and bring them back. On the whole of the outward run they will not pick up passengers at all.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI think I understand my hon. Friend's Question, and I would say that on the instructions given them they ought to pick up; but I will look further into the matter.