65. Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLasked the Minister of Transport whether any legislation will be required to carry into effect the proposals indicated on the 22nd ultimo in the House of Commons; if so, when will such legislation be introduced; whether it is the intention of the Government to take steps to abolish the veto of the local and road authorities; whether it has been definitely decided not to set up the traffic authority as recommended by the Select Committee on Metropolitan Transport; and, if such decision has been come to, will he state, if possible, to what extent the special department of the London traffic branch of the Ministry of Transport will possess the powers and execute the functions suggested by the Select Committee, and what area they will control?
Sir R. WILLIAMSUntil the Advisory Committee on London Traffic have reported to the Minister, it is not possible to make any statement as to future legislation. The answers to the other points raised in my hon. and gallant Friend's question depend in the same way upon the recommendations of the Advisory Committee.
Sir F. HALLIs the hon. Gentleman aware that a Select Committee recently sat on the question of Metropolitan transport and unanimously recommended that a traffic board should be set up, and what guarantee have we that the recommendations of the Advisory. Committee will be carried out, considering that the recommendations of the Select Committee have been shelved?
Sir R. WILLIAMSI am aware of the Report of the Select Committee, but I cannot tell until it meets what the recommendations of the Advisory Committee will be.
Sir F. HALLIf the recommendations of one Committee do not suit the Government, are they going to appoint another Committee to overcome that difficulty?