§ Mr. CAMPBELLasked the Minister of Transport the numbers of omnibuses on the streets of the Metropolis on 31st December, 1913, and 31st December, 1924, and the numbers of new omnibuses which have come into commission since the beginning of the present year, indicating the percentage owned by the London General Omnibus Company and by independent owners?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYI am not in a position to furnish the numbers of omnibuses operating upon the streets of the Metropolis at the dates mentioned, but the following table shows the numbers of omnibuses licensed to ply for hire at the respective dates:
31st December, 1913 … 3,522 31st December, 1924 … 5,384 Between the 31st December, 1924, and 31st October, 1925, 282 new omnibuses have been licensed, 47.9 per cent. to the London General Omnibus Company and Associated Companies and 521 per cent. to independent owners.
I understand that certain of the new omnibuses licensed since the 31st December, 1924, have been used to replace old vehicles withdrawn from service, but no figures are available as to the extent to which this has been done. I am, therefore, unable to state the net increase in the number of omnibuses in service since 31st December, 1924.