§ Dr. PETERSasked the Minister of Transport the number of applications for licences under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, that have been refused up to and including 30th June, 1931, to transport operator and to persons or firms not having previously operated; and whether he is aware of the number of persons thrown out of employment by such refusal to grant licences?
§ Mr. PYBUSI assume that my hon. Friend refers to road service licences. Up to and including 30th June, 1931, 336 applications for road service licences and backings had been refused by the traffic commissioners to whom they were made. There is, as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, a right of appeal to me against the refusal of the traffic commissioners to grant a licence. I have no information on the last point.
§ Dr. PETERSasked the. Minister of Transport whether he is aware that fares have been raised by certain traffic commissioners despite the fact that traffic operators have expressed themselves as satisfied with existing fares; and whether he will give instructions to the traffic commissioners that where traffic operators are satisfied with existing fares they shall not be raised against the public?
§ Dr. PYBUSWith a view to ensuring the co-ordination of transport in the public interest, Section 72 of the Road Traffic Act expressly empowers the traffic commissioners to attach conditions regarding fares to road service licences. The manner in which the commissioners exercise their discretion in850W this regard comes before me only on appeal being made under the provisions of the Act. In these circumstances, it would not be right or proper for me to intervene in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.