HC Deb 30 July 1931 vol 255 c2490W
Mr. NAYLOR

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that the time schedules of the passenger transport companies are so arranged as to enable drivers of coaches to keep time without exceeding the 30-mile speed limit; and whether he is satisfied that the measures taken are effective for the purpose?

Mr. HERBERT MORRISON

Section 72 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, provides that the traffic commissioners shall not grant a road service licence in respect of any route if it appears to them, from the particulars as to journey times required to be furnished under that section, that the speed-limit provision of the Act is likely to be contravened. The commissioners are also empowered to attach conditions to a road service licence for securing the safety and convenience of the public. It must be borne in mind that the commissioners have only recently started work, and that so far only a proportion of the passenger road services throughout the country have been brought under their review. My jurisdiction in these matters only arises in the event of an appeal being lodged under Section 81 of the Act. I hope that the provisions referred to will prove effective, with the co-operation of the police in the enforcement of the general law.