§ 31. Lieutenant William Shepherdasked the Minister of War Transport if he will take steps to appoint a passengers' council with a view to securing a better service for the public from the L.P.T.B.
§ The Minister of War Transport (Mr. Barnes)Ample provision already exists through the statutory rights of local authorities to make representations to the Railway Rates Tribunal, and through the 14 local transport groups formed during the war and other similar bodies. The London Passenger Transport Board are at all times willing to receive representations from responsible bodies and members of the public.
§ Lieutenant ShepherdIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the present position of this service is not satisfactory, and can he say whether it was this disastrous experiment which encouraged the Government to increase the sphere of public control of road transport?
§ Mr. BarnesI do not agree that the L.P.T.B. is a disastrous experiment. Certainly they have made very considerable improvements in their service in recent months.
§ Mr. Hector HughesIs the Minister taking any steps to see that later buses are run by the L.P.T.B.?
§ Mr. BarnesConsiderable improvements in that direction have already been made, and they will continue in the near future.