ROAD TRANSPORT MATTERS IN PARLIAMENT.
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Showmen Seek Further Concessions. Fading Licences. Smoke Emission. Smoking Inside Buses.
By Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent.
-rIEUT.-COMMANDER KENWORTHY, who last
,
1 year was largely instrumental in obtaining concessions for travelling showmen in connection with the increased scale of taxation, has presented another request on their behalf, though the response is not too encouraging. He called the Chancellor of the Exchequer's attention to a resolution passed by the travelling showmen of Great Britain at their annual meeting at the Agricultural Hall, Islington, on January 20th, in which they regretted that the concessions in last year's Budget on the licences for their vehicles do not apply to their steam and petrol lorries, although these are only used for the purpose of moving from one fair ground to another and are not used as common hauliers. Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy asked Mr. Churchill if he was aware that a large percentage of the showmen found it impossible to pay the increased licence fee of 100 per cent. and were thus prevented from pursuing their calling, and whether he would favourably consider this matter with a view to a further concession in this year's Budget.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he had received a copy of the resolution, but he had no information as to whether the showmen were, in fact, taking out licences for fewer vehicles. An exceptional concesSion was made last year in respect of showmen's traffic and, having regard to the -damage which it undoubtedly caused to the roads, he could not hold out any prospect of his being able to extend the concession still further.
• Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy requested the Chancellor to receive a small deputation between now and the introduction of the Budget. He remarked that those poor men could not afford to be ruined.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer said there was a ceriain procedure which governed the kind of deputations which were received at the Treasury before a Budget, and he was not sure that this would fall within the class. Obviously, if they opened the door wide there would be an illimitable number, but if the honourable member would write to him he would consider what usefulness could attach to a deputation being received.
Colonel Howard-Bury advised the Chancellor to introduce a tax on petrol, but Mr. Churchill observed that he could not anticipate the Budget. Colonel Day then proposed that a rebate be allowed to the showmen when their vehicles were not in use, to which Mr. Churchill replied: "I think we arrived at a very good arrangement on this matter with general consent last session."
The Fading of Ink on Licences.
THattention of the Minister of Transport has been E called to the liability of ink used for inscribing motor taxation licences to fade upon exposure. Colonel Day pointed out that a conviction, had been obtained against a motorist for using a car the licence of which was not legible, and he suggested that licensing authorities should be obliged to use fadeless ink for the purpose. Colonel Ashley stated that with the assistance of His Majesty's Stationery Office various makes of Ink had been tested from time to time, and the results communicated to the licensing authorities with a view to ensuring that the entries on the licences should not fade upon prolonged exposure to sunlight. He was satisfied that the authorities were fully alive to the Importance of the question. He pointed out that the regulations specially provided that, Where a licensing authority was satisfied that the entries on the licence or the colour of the licence had faded owing to causes
c26 not due to any neglect of the licensee, a duplicate licence might be issued free of charge. This regulation is perhaps not so well known as it should be.
Smoke From Steam Vehicles.
MR. WALTER BAKER has again been urging the. Minister of Transport to take steps to prevent the issue of smoke from steam vehicles, but he was informed that this is one of the subjects under consideration in connection with the Road Vehicles Bill. "Get busy with the Home Secretary, as this is a perfect nuisance," remarked the honourable member, and Colonel Ashley assured him that he had already been in communication with the Home Secretary on the subject.
A Statistical Improvement.
AREQUEST has been made to the Minister of Transport for the number of motorcars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles registered for the first time in 1926 and the number of those British menu• factured. Colonel Ashley announced that, although periodical returns made by licensing authorities were not in such a form as would enable him to give the figures required, he had made arrangements for returns as from March 1st next showing the number of first registrations under each of the various taxation classes and special classes. These returns will be collated and issued periodically by the Ministry of Transport, but they will not indicate the different makes of vehicle or their country of origin. Information as to the number and value of motor vehicles imported into the United Kingdom is contained in the returns published by the Board of Trade.
Smoking Inside Omnibuses.
THE Subject of smoking in omnibuses, was raiStal in the House of Commons the other day by Mr. W. Baker, but, as legislation is necessary to prohibit this practice inside an omnibus, it is likely that the proprietors will have to wait some time before they are given the' powers of the tramways authorities. Mr. Baker referred to the delays that were caused owing to disputes between passengers and conductors with regard to this question of the right to smoke inside, and he asked the Home Secretary to place the omnibuses in a similar position to that of the trains. Sir W. Joynson-Hicks could only say that the matter had been noted for consideration in the event of an opportunity for legislation occurring. Mr. Baker suggested that it would be a simple matter to introduce a short measure for this purpose alone, but the Home Secretary indicated that a private member might introduce a Bill and endeavour to obtain general assent for its. passage. If such a Bill were introduced it is unlikely. that anybody would seriously oppose it, and, as there are many members .thirsting to reform the whole world of road transport, some of them would willingly take on this little instalment.
Kensington High Street Widening.
WITH regard to the important widening which is in contemplation in Kensington High Street, the area of the land to be surrendered along the frontages in Kensington High Street proper is about 16,270 sq. ft., and the ,provisional financial arrangement Is that the cost of the widening shall be borne in equal thirds by the London County Council, the Kensington Borough
Council and the Road Fund. _