§ 57 and 58. Mr. Championasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will take powers to prevent privately operated omnibus undertakings from increasing workmen's and sub-standard fares;
(2) if he will examine recent decisions of licensing authorities to permit increases of workmen's fares, with a view to suitable action to prevent such increases continuing to operate in those instances in which they have already been imposed.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydUnder the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, the licensing authorities for public service vehicles are empowered to attach conditions to road service licences for securing that the fares shall not be unreasonable. The decisions of the licensing authorities are taken after public sittings, at which objectors can be heard, and the Act of 1930 provides for an appeal to me by local authorities and certain other persons if they are aggrieved by the licensing authority's decision. I have no present intention of asking Parliament to modify these provisions.
§ 62. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Transport whether he can 79W now state the extent and value of the fare concessions to be made in London; the additional amount that will remain to be paid in proportion after such concessions have been made; and the date from which such concessions will operate.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydProposals for modification of certain fare increases in operation are being worked out as quickly as possible but I am not yet in a position to announce the changes.