§ 48. Mr. A. Robertsasked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce legislation making it obligatory for private omnibus companies to provide shelters for intending passengers.
Mr. BraithwaiteNo, Sir. We recognise the desirability of fresh legislation dealing with the provision of bus shelters, but I am not prepared to say at this stage that it should necessarily take the form suggested in the Question.
A Bill dealing with this matter has already been presented by the hon. and learned Member for Kettering (Mr. Mitchison). Since it has not yet been printed I cannot indicate what the Government's attitude towards it will be.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the Minister aware that the railway companies, under private enterprise, provided shelter and waiting rooms? Is he also aware of the hardship which the public have to endure during inclement weather? Will the Minister consider the young and aged who have to travel to work from the outskirts of large towns and give them some measure of comfort?
Mr. BraithwaiteThat is why we are waiting with such interest the Private Member's Bill to be presented by the hon. and learned Member for Kettering.
§ Mr. ManuelIs the Minister aware that many local authorities are being forced by local agitation to provide shelter accommodation for bus travellers? Is he further aware that many people 964 are of the opinion that this should not be a charge on local rates, but a charge on the finances of the bus companies?
Mr. BraithwaiteBus passengers are no longer waiting quite so wearily as they did between the years 1945 and 1951.