§ 45. Viscountess ASTORasked the Minister of Transport whether there is any woman representative on the Transport Advisory Committee to consider questions relating to the welfare of women and child travellers; and, if not, will he state the reason?
§ Mr. NEALI assume that my hon. Friend refers to the Committee which the Minister has appointed to advise upon technical matters connected with railway working. I do not think that this would be an appropriate Committee for the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind. The question of the safety and convenience of passengers is being dealt with at the Ministry of Transport by the staff who formerly dealt with these matters under the Board of Trade. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a panel of experts is being appointed under Section 10 23 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, from which Advisory Committees for particular purposes can be selected. The question as to whether it is desirable to constitute such a Committee to consider matters affecting the welfare and convenience of passengers is under consideration, and if it should be decided to appoint the same, the Minister would doubtless desire to have the representation of women on the Committee.
§ Viscountess ASTORWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importance of this as regards the safety of women and children?
§ Mr. NEALIf the Committee is appointed, that is one of the matters which it certainly would have to consider.