§ Major Lyonsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether his attention has been called to the congestion of motor-omnibus passenger traffic in municipal areas particularly in the North Midlands area; whether he is aware that in the same places town-to-town vehicles run into town centres with ample accommodation vacant, whilst passengers await transport on the same route; and whether he will order that these vehicles are allowed to pick up passengers inside municipal areas and cancel the conditions to the contrary in long-distance licences?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am informed by the Regional Transport Commissioner that there is no serious congestion of motor omnibus traffic in municipal areas in the North Midland Region. Where a need for increased bus facilities in an urban area can be met by allowing inter-urban 2311W services to serve local traffic, the Commissioner has arranged accordingly, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that it is often necessary to prevent long-distance passengers being crowded out by short-distance passengers for whom other and more frequent services are available.