§ 7. Mr. Thomas Oswaldasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that Scottish Omnibuses Limited made application to the licensing authority on 4th February, 1952, to duplicate existing services on their London routes during the summer season; and when the result of an appeal to him from the decision of the licensing authority can be expected.
§ Mr. MaclayNo such appeal is before me. I am informed that the application in question is to be heard by the licensing authority on the 25th April.
§ Mr. OswaldIs the Minister aware that a very large number of individuals have notified their names to Scottish Omnibuses, Ltd., for the purpose of travelling on this route and that this undertaking runs a service 15s. cheaper than the company which has had permission from the Minister, and which was referred to in his reply to Question No. 5, and that Scottish Omnibuses have a considerable number of vehicles and sufficient personnel to give a duplication of this service?
§ Mr. MaclayThese are all points which would be put to the licensing authority when the case is heard.
§ Mr. CallaghanDid the Minister know that these people had made an application when he extended Northern Roadways' service for six months?
§ Mr. MaclayNo, I did not.
§ Mr. CallaghanIf the Minister did not know that this application was being made, what right had he to get the licensing authority to extend the Northern Roadways' service for six months, if there was an appeal already under way by the bus company which is already running this service? Is not that just giving way to his friends?
§ Mr. MaclayThe decision was not made by the Minister in any way at all. 9 It was a question of what was reasonable and convenient for the passengers.