§ 65. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Minister of Transport whether, before announcing the Government's plans for dealing with London traffic, he secured the agreement of the London County Council to the scheme so far as it affected their property?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONThe announcement to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was a. general statement of the Government's policy in regard to the co-ordination of London passenger transport, and its terms were not discussed with any of the interests concerned.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKDoes the hon. Gentleman think it right to make public announcements about taking over the property of these public authorities without even consulting the existing owners?
§ Mr. MORRISONI think the course of action which the Government have taken is perfectly right in the circumstances of the case. I have no reason to believe that the London County Council consider that they have been treated with any discourtesy, and discussions will proceed with them as soon as we have reached the necessary stage of detail.
§ Sir K. WOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be better, instead of entering upon these long and doubtful negotiations, to reintroduce the London Traffic Bill?
§ Mr. MORRISONNot only do I think that would be wrong, but the House of Commons has rejected those Bills.
§ 72. Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEasked the Minister of Transport whether he has referred to the London Traffic Advisory Committee to consider and advise as to the steps to be taken to deal with the congestion of traffic caused by the development of central sites like Devon- 1402 shire House and Grosvenor House, Westminster, and Hereford Gardens, Marble Arch, so that several hundred families are housed where few were housed before without any corresponding provision of adequate road-traffic space?
§ Mr. MORRISONThe London Traffic Advisory Committee have considered and advised me on the general problem raised in the hon. and gallant Member's question. Representations have been made in individual cases, but I am advised that the powers of the London County Council are not sufficient to enable them to deal adequately with the traffic problems created by developments on sites such as those referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. I am conferring with the representatives of the London County Council with a view to seeing whether further powers could with advantage be sought.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEIs it not possible to consider the question of bringing in Hyde Park close by for a larger development of Park Lane?
§ Mr. MORRISONIf it is a question affecting the extent of the Park, that is a matter upon which it will be necessary to consult the First Commissioner of Works.