§ Mr. LANSBURYasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the case of an omnibus driver, named George J. Hickling, charged for driving a motor omnibus at 27 miles an hour, who, in defence, pleaded that he was endeavouring to make up time unavoidably lost on the journey, and who further stated that the rules of the company were such that men who lost time were fined or dismissed, and that, in fact, he himself had been dismissed because of bad journey time; and whether, in view of the danger to the public involved where drivers of motor vehicles are working to a time table and are in danger of losing their work owing to loss of time, he will ask the Advisory Committee to consider what legislation or regulations are needed to put an end to such dangerous conditions of work as those testified to by Mr. G. Hickling?
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§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYI have no information regarding this case other than that contained in the hon. Member's question. I understand that the police examine the schedules deposited by omnibus operators in London with a view to preventing any necessity for these vehicles being driven at excessive speeds under normal circumstances. I have no control over the conditions of employment or the instructions given to drivers under special circumstances, and the matter does not appear to me to be one for the London Traffic Committee.