§ 31. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called: to the fact that many of the public service vehicles condemned by his inspectors as unsuitable for carrying passengers are converted into lorries for the purpose of carrying goods; and whether he will consider the desirability of taking some action in the matter, in view of the dangers caused by the presence of such heavy vehicles on the road in an imperfect condition?
§ Mr. PYBUSI am aware that this has happened in some cases. I will bear the hon. and gallant Member's point in mind when I come to consider the report of the Road-Rail Conference.
§ Captain MACDONALDWhen does the hon. Member expect the conference to report?
§ 34. Lieut.-Commander BOWERasked tht Minister of Transport the number of registrations of Diesel or other heavy-oil engined motor vehicles in the years 1929, 1930 and 1931?
§ Mr. PYBUSThe returns at present furnished by local authorities do not distinguish such vehicles, but with their growth I am considering whether the returns should not record them separately.
§ Lieut.-Commander BOWERIn view of the fact that those vehicles do not pay their fair share of motor taxation, will the hon. Gentleman consider recommending a tax on Diesel oils to the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODThe Minister must be very careful what he does here, because it is a question of interfering with the development of the Diesel engine, which is very necessary to engineering at the moment.