§ Colonel ROPNERasked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the possibility of amending the Road Traffic Act, 1930, so as to give compensation to persons who have conducted an efficient and profitable omnibus service, but who are now being deprived of their livelihood and financially ruined through the refusal of licences or curtailment of their omnibus services?
§ Mr. PYBUSI do not consider that provisions of the nature suggested would be in the public interest. In the general directions, however, which I issued to the traffic commissioners last December I asked them to have proper regard to any hardships which might result to an individual operator if the services provided by him were curtailed or discontinued.
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§ Colonel ROPNERasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the reduction of motor omnibus services in the West Riding of Yorkshire and elsewhere is in some cases causing considerable inconvenience to the public; and whether he will consider the advisability of amending the Road Traffic Act, 1930, so that the public demand for an extended service may be met without delay?
§ Mr. PYBUSWhen deciding whether or not to grant a road service licence, the traffic commissioners are required by the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to take into account, amongst other things, the extent to which the proposed service is necessary or desirable in the public interest. From my examination of the appeals made to me against their decisions I have no reason to think that the commissioners are unmindful of that consideration.