§ 98. Mr. Medlicottasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that omnibus companies in East Anglia and, particularly, in Norfolk, are unable to meet the needs of the travelling public owing to the shortage both, of vehicles and crews; and if he will take steps to enable the com 147W panies to make further facilities available, especially in the rural areas, before the onset of winter.
§ Mr. Barnes:I have every hope that, before the winter, existing shortages of vehicles and crews in East Anglia will have been largely overcome.
§ 107. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the complaints of overcrowding on the motor-omnibuses running on the Methwold to Downham Market and the King's Lynn to Downham Market services in which schoolchildren are particularly concerned; and whether an early improvement in the accommodation on these services can be expected.
§ Mr. Barnes:Both services have been recently improved in the early morning, the former by an additional journey and the latter by an additional relief vehicle. Some single-deck vehicles adapted to carry extra standing passengers are still in use on these routes; they will be withdrawn as soon as they can be replaced by new double-deckers.
§ Sir H. Morris-Jonesasked the Minister of Transport whether he will inquire into the present state of omnibus services in rural districts of the county of Denbigh, with a view to augmenting the services.
§ Mr. Barnes:Improvements have recently been made in 13 services in the county and are scheduled to commence shortly in 14 other services. I am sending details to the hon. Member. The position is under constant review.