§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that the Blackpool Corporation is charging a minimum fare of 3d. on its tram-cars even though the passenger travels only a few hundred yards, while delegates attending conferences in that town are granted free passes on the same tram-cars; whether he is satisfied that these arrangements are in accordance with the powers granted to the corporation by Parliament; and whether he will take steps to remove these anomalies.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThe minimum fare operates only on the 12 tramcars per hour which run through to Fleetwood, in respect of journeys originating between defined points in Blackpool. It was authorised by my Noble Friend, by an order made after a public inquiry. Its purpose was to prevent passengers to Fleetwood being crowded off the through services, which had been reduced to enable short distance services to be improved. I am not aware of any statutory limitation which would prevent the Corporation granting free transport facilities on their tramcars.