Orders of the Day — London Passenger Transport Bill.

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 14 February 1933.

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Photo of Mr Edward Strauss Mr Edward Strauss , Southwark North

I am sure that we have enjoyed the interesting speeches that have been made. There is one point on which the whole House is agreed, and that is that a supreme authority is to be set up in order to control and coordinate the passenger traffic of this great Metropolis. I would have much preferred a controlling body to an owning concern. It would have been interesting had the members of the London County Council who have spoken enlightened us a little more in regard to the great tramway system which they own and control. In my experience where a tramway is run in London the omnibus fares are moderate, but where the trams do not run the omnibus fares are much higher. It would have been interesting to know whether the London ratepayers are losing large sums of money or not on the tramway system. We should have been much obliged to the hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris) if he could have given us further information on this point.

It is very difficult for a back bench Member to judge the financial scheme of this Measure. We have not the expert knowledge or the expert assistance that is at the disposal of the Government. They have access to the various contracts and the financial arrangements which are so necessary to bring about this great amalgamation. I was glad to hear from the Minister of Transport that he is confident that the financial scheme is sound and that it is all that it should be. I am a little apprehensive, seeing that the receipts of the Underground group are falling, that the receipts of the General Omnibus Company are falling and that certainly the dividends are falling. Therefore, I should have been pleased if there could have been a revaluation of the assets. It is unfortunate for the shareholders when they have to stand the risk of their property depreciating, but I see no reason why they should get the same returns as when times were better.

The feeling that I have is that the travelling public of London will have very little or nothing to say in regard to the fares. I know that there are ways and means of going before the Railway Rates Tribunal, but that means a very long and-tedious task to get the fares reduced. Therefore, I am a little concerned in regard to the finance of the Measure. I do not believe for one moment that there is the risk of a receiver being appointed. A far more formidable weapon in the hands of those who will control the board will be to raise the fares. I should like to hear from the Minister of Transport, or whoever replies for the Government, what power the travelling public possess in regard to keeping the fares at a reasonable level. The County Council trams have done much for the travelling public in this respect. They have kept the fares at a reasonable level, but when this amalgamation passes into law I am afraid that fares will be raised. I hope that the Government will consider the interests of the travelling public and will see that those interests are safeguarded. On those grounds, I shall have much pleasure in supporting the Bill.