London

HC Deb 21 December 1960 vol 632 cc1280-2

17. Mr. Speir

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the many complaints which are being made regarding the administration and operation of the London Transport Executive, whether he will set up a special committee to study these and other relevant matters and to make recommendations as a matter of urgency.

29. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken to relieve traffic congestion in London and cut down waiting time at omnibus stops; and if he will appoint a committee to examine and report on the omnibus services in the London area.

30. Mrs. Butler

asked the Minister of Transport what reply he has made to the request sent to him by the London busmen for a public inquiry into the organisation of London Transport Executive.

Mr. Marples

Congestion in London is being attacked in several ways. For example, I am prepared to see annual expenditure on road improvements within the County of London rise to £10 million. The London Traffic Management Unit continues to apply traffic engineering techniques to relieve congestion. The House will soon have before it a Bill to make possible a large car park under Hyde Park. These measures should improve conditions for all traffic including buses.

As regards a special inquiry, I have received a petition organised by some London busmen asking me for a public inquiry into London bus services. I am considering this.

Mr. Speir

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the proposals in paragraph 20 of the White Paper seem to propose only that the name of the London Transport Executive shall be changed to the London Transport Board? Does he appreciate that the label on the bottle does not matter very much and that it is the contents that count? What we want is new men and new methods.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Will my right hon. Friend consider recommending to London Transport that it should try to put a new face on itself and should consider experimenting once again with the standee bus of the continental type during the rush hours to clear away these heavy queues which accumulate, particularly during the winter?

Mr. Marples

I have been in touch with the London Transport Executive and I will bring my hon. Friend's suggestion to the attention of the Executive.

Mrs. Butler

Is the Minister aware that there are thousands of Londoners who would have liked the opportunity which I have this morning of telling him how tired they are of cuts in services, increases in fares, and waiting for long periods in all weathers for buses? Is he aware that the bus crews share in these complaints? Is he aware that many of these people feel that it is his duty to set up an inquiry to find out what is wrong with the administration of London Transport and how it can be put right?

Mr. Mellish

To support my hon. Friend the Member for Wood Green (Mrs. Butler), may I ask the Minister whether he realises that this petition, organised by these busmen, was in fact on behalf of the travelling public and that it asked for a public inquiry? Any questions of the attitude of the busmen themselves can be developed at the inquiry. Does the Minister understand that many hon. Members on this side of the House take this inquiry very seriously indeed and that we hope that if he refuses it, he will give very adequate reasons why?

Mr. Marples

I am considering the inquiry, but I cannot add to my Answer.