§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the overcrowding of the omnibuses and tramcars operating in London; what efforts, if any, he is making to remedy this evil; and, in view of the likelihood of injury resulting to members of the public as a result of this overcrowding, whether he will take immediate steps to see if the companies concerned are doing everything in their power to give the greatest possible service to the public?
§ Mr. SHORTTI am well aware of the overcrowding. It has been necessary to allow a limited number of excess passengers to meet the shortage caused by the withdrawal of omnibuses for military use, and by the impossibility of replacing worn out vehicles during the War. The police have temporarily reduced their requirements with regard to the vehicles to the lowest point consistent with safety in order to allow as many vehicles as possible to continue to run. Neither I nor the Commissioner is responsible for the supply944W of vehicles, but the Commissioner has reason to believe that the operating concerns are doing their utmost to cope with the situation.