§ 101. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Transport if he will give figures to show the extent to which passenger traffic, by omnibus, between Edinburgh and London, has grown over the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the present unsatisfied demand for seats.
Mr. BraithwaiteThe licensing authority is informed by Scottish Omnibuses that the number of passenger journeys made in their vehicles between Edinburgh and London in the five years 1947–1951 were 26,007; 40,420; 41,021; 43,630; and 51,702 from Edinburgh to London and 25,794; 39,930; 40,627; 42,801 and 51,054 from London to Edinburgh. Northern Roadways say that the passenger journeys in their vehicles from May to December, 1951, were 10,891 southwards and 8,588 northwards.
Scottish Omnibuses state they had a waiting list of 5,249 southwards and 5,098 northwards just before their vehicle allowance was increased on April 25th.
Northern Roadways say they have at present a waiting list of 4,241 southwards and 2,200 northwards. The same persons may, of course, figure on the lists of both operators.