HC Deb 21 February 1921 vol 138 cc531-2
63. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the Committee which has recently reported and advised on the agreements made by the Government with the owners of the railways was nominated by himself as representative of the Government, he will advise the reference of the matters in dispute between the Government and the owners to some impartial tribunal not nominated by either party and consequently able to obtain public confidence in its findings?

Sir E. GEDDES

If my hon. and gallant Friend desires to imply by the terms of his question that the Departmental Committee presided over by Lord Colwyn, which included five Members of this hon House, impartially selected, the President of the Federation of British Industries, and a representative of the Treasury, was not a competent and impartial tribunal, I must respectfully but strenuously dissent from his view. I cannot doubt that the unanimous report of a body so constituted is entitled to, and will receive, public confidence. A perusal of the Report with its Appendices and of the Minutes of evidence tendered will show that the Committee were placed in possession of the necessary material and documents to enable them to form a judgment, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by setting up some other Committee to traverse the same ground. In so far as matters may ultimately remain in dispute between the Government and the railway companies concerned, the prescribed tribunal for settling the same is the Railway and Canal Commission. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that there are 114 railway companies who have rights in the matter, and up to the present there is no representative body entitled to negotiate on their behalf.

Colonel NEWMAN

Is it not a fact that at every annual meeting of every railway company every chairman has complained about this Committee?

Sir E. GEDDES

I do not know. I am afraid I do not read all the reports.

Mr. J. JONES

It is a good job you do not.

Mr. MacVEAGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Committee states in its Report that the issue is largely a legal one, and that they know nothing about the law?