HC Deb 11 June 1951 vol 488 cc166-7W
Mr. Llewellyn

asked the Minister of Transport why Cardiff is not directly represented on the licensing authority for public service vehicles; why the council's nomination was again rejected; and whether he is aware of the indignation which is felt by the council and public alike at Cardiff's lack of representation upon this authority.

Mr. Barnes

The Cardiff City Council is one of 68 local authorities each of which annually nominates one person to a panel from which I appoint one member of the licensing authority for public service vehicles in the South Wales Traffic Area. I also select from the same panel a number of persons who are prepared to act if need be as deputy for that member.

I needed three persons to act as deputy this year, and I thus had to choose a total of only four from 68 nominees. It is clear therefore that no local authority, whether large or small, can expect automatically to be represented. I have explained the position to the council.

Major Lloyd

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will issue a direction to the licensing authorities for public service vehicles not to seek assurances from local authorities applying to increase fares on municipally owned road services, that they will not further relieve the rates out of the working of such services, without the consent of the appropriate licensing authority.

Mr. Barnes

The licensing authorities are independent statutory bodies with whose proceedings I am normally concerned only if an appeal is made to me under the Road Traffic Act, 1930. As at present advised, I am by no means satisfied that I have the power to issue such a direction as is suggested. In any case, I should not be prepared to do so, as it is my normal practice to seek such assurances, in similar circumstances, when applications are made to me to authorise or approve increases in trolley vehicle or tram fares. I propose, however, in future, to vary the terms of the assurance sought by me so that it will require only consultation with me and not my consent. It has to be borne in mind that in many cases of this kind the effect of my decision is to authorise fares in excess of the maxima allowed by Parliament.