HL Deb 21 July 1966 vol 276 cc539-40

3.5 p.m.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received any reports on the working of the front-entrance buses now employed on certain London bus routes, and whether their use is likely to be extended to additional routes.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)

My Lords, responsibility for these experiments rests with the London Transport Board, and my right honourable friend would not expect to receive reports on their working. But she welcomes the experiment as promising various advantages to the public and to the Board.

LORD SEGAL

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that limited reply, may I ask whether he would not agree that accidents caused when passengers are alighting from or boarding buses would be entirely eliminated by the more extensive use of this type of vehicle? And would he not agree that the safety factor is the chief consideration in deciding whether its use ought to be extended or not?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, I agree completely with my noble friend that these buses have a safety advantage in that passengers cannot get on and off when the bus is moving. Safety is obviously one of the factors that London Transport will have in mind when considering how far they should extend the operation of front-entrance buses. I may say that in the regulations issued on July 1 my right honourable friend has given operators more freedom to experiment in this type of vehicle.

LORD ROWLEY

My Lords, in view of the fact that some of us have had experience of these buses on route 24, would my noble friend represent to the Minister, and through her to the London Transport Board, that it is greatly to be hoped that they will be made much more comfortable than they proved to be when operated on that route?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, of course the Minister has no responsibility at all for day-to-day management in this matter, but I am sure that such a suggestion coming from such a quarter will be considered by the Board.

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