§ Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the alteration, upon week days, of the No. 71 tramway service, which now runs from Bruce Grove station to Aldgate, instead of from Aldgate to Aldersgate, via Wood Green and Tottenham as formerly; is he aware that this alteration has had the effect for many using this route of doubling the cost of workmen's fares, largely increasing ordinary fares, and adding to the time occupied in getting to and from employment, and that the Tottenham Urban District Council has appealed without success to the Metropolitan Tramways Company either to restore this service, or, alternatively, to grant transfer tickets; and will he ask the London Traffic Advisory Committee to look into the matter?
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§ Colonel ASHLEYI have no jurisdiction in regard to this matter. I have, however, communicated with the tramway company, and am informed that the circular service from Aldersgate via Wood Green and Bruce Grove to Aldgate was withdrawn on the 4th March last, as it was found that, owing to the traffic congestion in Central London during the rush hours, the service was irregular and generally unsatisfactory, resulting in numerous complaints from passengers, and also that it adversely affected the regularity of other services. With regard to the suggestion that transfer tickets should be issued, I am informed that their issue would create operating difficulties and would involve additional expenditure which the company are not prepared to incur in view of their unsatisfactory financial position. The company is under no statutory obligation to issue such tickets.