HC Deb 11 December 1929 vol 233 cc453-4
53. Major the Marquess of TITCHFIELD

asked the Minister of Transport when he will be in a position to lay before Parliament his proposals for the reorganisation of London transport?

54. Sir K. WOOD

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give in greater detail his plans concerning London traffic, and particularly what is the nature of the public ownership that is contemplated, and how he proposes to provide at the same time for the principle of commercial management; and whether he has any statistics which indicate that such a scheme will provide a self-supporting consolidated transport enterprise for London?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

If the hon. Members will refer to the statement which I made on the 2nd December, they will see that I do not expect to be in a position to make any further statement on the subject for some time.

Sir K. WOOD

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question, which is not affected by that reply, namely: Whether he has any statistics which indicate that such a scheme will provide a self-supporting consolidated transport enterprise for London?

Mr. MORRISON

No, Sir, I am not prepared to answer that question. We are on the verge of very important and delicate negotiations, and every responsible Member of this House will agree that the Minister should conduct those negotiations with a full sense of responsibility, and not discuss details in this House.

Sir K. WOOD

The hon. Gentleman, surely, is able to say whether he has any statistics? I am not asking him to produce them. I am asking him whether, before he made that statement, he had any statistics in relation to it? Further, I would like to ask him, inasmuch as he declines to make a statement here, how it was that he went on a public platform last week at a Socialist meeting and gave further explanations?

Mr. MORRISON

As far as the public platform is concerned, I was very careful not to add anything to the statement which I made in this House. As far as the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question is concerned, the Government have sufficient information to warrant them in approving of the principle which I have already announced to the House.

Mr. MILLS

Will my hon. Friend, before he makes his next report to the House of Commons, be able to bring before it the relationship that the River Thames will bear to the problem of transport in London?

Mr. HARRIS

Before the hon. Gentleman opens up discussions with the Traffic Combine, will he discuss the matter with the London County Council, as representing the people of London?

Mr. MORRISON

We are keeping all proper contacts with the bodies concerned, but there is nothing to be gained by the premature opening up of detailed negotiations.

Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the idea is that the Combine should be conducted by a board of directors free from Government control?

Mr. MORRISON

That is obviously covered in principle by the statement which I made in the House on the 2nd December.

Sir F. HALL

Does the hon. Gentleman know that the public and business people are unaware of what the intention of the Government really is, and will he reply to the point that I have put to him?