§ 59. Major Anstruther-Grayasked the Minister of Transport to make a statement concerning his decision with regard to the appeal of Scottish Omnibuses Limited of Edinburgh.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI assume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to an appeal by Scottish Omnibuses, jointly with Ribble Motor Services, against the vehicle allowance on a new night coach service in summer between Edinburgh and Liverpool. I caused a public inquiry to be held and accepted the Inspector's recommendation to uphold the Licensing Authority's decision to allow two relief vehicles to each company on each run.
This new night service is on a route already served by day by the same companies with duplication allowed up to 18 vehicles on each run in the summer. On the evidence before them, I think that the Licensing Authority were justified in deciding that the night service should be started with a vehicle allowance on an experimental basis which could be adjusted later, in conjunction with the day service, if experience showed that such a course was desirable in the public interest.