HC Deb 07 October 1941 vol 374 cc861-2W
Mr. Thorne

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that 50,000 workers in Essex have to walk home because there are no omnibuses after 7.40 p.m.; that High Street, Grays, Essex, is a boundary, to the west of which the London Passenger Transport Board operates, and to the east the Eastern National Omnibus Company operates; and when he intends to put into operation his powers to prevent this hardship upon these workers?

Colonel Llewellin

This matter has been carefully investigated by the Regional Transport Commissioner in consultation with the firms concerned. Most of the firms indicated that no difficulty was being experienced, but two of them suggested that later services would be convenient for a total of 15 workpeople. These workers now travel by bicycle or train and to carry them by bus would necessitate operating additional vehicles over six separate routes. In these circumstances the additional services could not be justified.