§ Major R. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Transport if he has any correspondence with the Mailing District Council about the wages paid to men employed on road widening on the Aylesford-Rochester road; and if these wages satisfy the conditions under which Grant No. E.A. 2720/23 was made?
§ Mr. GOSLINGThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am informed that the rate of wages paid by the Council to the men employed on this work is the same as that paid to their ordinary road men. If this be so, the conditions of the Fair Wages Clause are being observed, and I am afraid that I have no grounds for intervention.
RETURN showing the Number of Certain Classes of Public Carriages and Drivers licensed during the Years ending 31st December, 1913, 31st December, 1923, 16th June, 1914 (as far as possible), and 16th June, 1924. Class of Licence Years ending— 31st December, 1913. 31st December, 1913. 16th June, 1914. 16th June, 1924. Motor cabs … … 10,468* 7,674 10,076* 7,647 Motor cab drivers … … 11,862 9,471 — 9,486 Motor omnibuses … … 3,522 5,117 2,988 5,538 Electric tramcars … … 2,786 3,214 2,525 2,870 Chars-a-banc … … Nil 316 Nil 287 Stage carriages (all classes) … … 6,4901† 8,655† 5,630† 8,702† Stage drivers … … 10,585 14,168 — 14,993 Mechanical composite licences, i.e.—to drive or conduct stage carriages as may be required. 884 2,354 — 2,294 * Includes 2,181 licensed twice during the year. † These totals include a certain number of horse-drawn vehicles.