65. Mr. HUTCHISONasked the Minister of Transport if he can now state the composition of the conference which he proposes to call of railway and road transport representatives, the lines upon which this body is to operate, and the extent of the powers it will possess; and whether it will be convoked at once in view of the importance of the issues raised?
§ Sir H. SAMUELAs the answer involves a number of figures, I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Pybus)In accordance with the announcement which I made last week, I propose to summon before Easter a small conference of organisations directly concerned in the operation of goods transport by road and rail respectively.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill the hon. Gentleman see that members of the public are represented seeing that this is a question of the transport of the 25 public, not only by railways? They are the right people to decide these questions.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the hon. Member give an opportunity to those representing the canal interests to be present at this conference?
§ Mr. PYBUSAll interests will have an opportunity of presenting their views before I take any decision.