HC Deb 21 December 1932 vol 273 cc1060-1
26. Sir FRANK SANDERSON

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the importance of the British railways as a national asset, and seeing that there is invested therein approximately £800,000,000 of trustee funds, he will, with a view to conserving these interests, take such steps as are necessary to expedite the adoption of the recommendations of the Salter Report?

25. Mr. HUTCHISON

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an indication before the House rises for the Christmas Recess as to the policy he proposes to adopt as regards the Salter Report?

29. Mr. O'CONNOR

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the inten- tions of the Government regarding the recommendations of the Salter Conference on road and rail transport?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which I gave on 19th December to the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. Boyce), and of which I am sending them copies, and to my remarks in the course of the Debate that arose on the Adjournment of the House last night.

34. Mr. LEONARD (for Mr. PRICE)

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, as a result of the Appendix showing increases in licence duties of passenger-carrying vehicles contained in the report of the Rail and Road Transport Committee, which was considered by the committee itself as outside the scope of their reference, many omnibus manufacturing firms are on short time, and that unemployment is being increased owing to municipalities and others holding up orders for motor omnibuses and trackless trolley vehicles; and what action he proposes to take on the report of that committee in this connection?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

I am aware that there has been some misunderstanding on this point. The members of the conference, however, in the letter over their signatures published in the Press on Monday last, have explained that the question of the licence duties to be paid by passenger-carrying vehicles was outside their terms of reference, arid that they have in fact made no recommendations in the matter. In view of the publicity which has already been given to their statement, I do not think that any further action on my part in this connection is necessary.