§ 20. Mr. STOURTONasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the losses caused to the railway companies by road competition and the urgency for action, he is now able to state the Government's intention with regard to legislating on the findings of the Salter Commission in order to place rail and road on a fair competitive basis?
§ Mr. PYBUSI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given on the 3rd November to the hon. Member for the Gloucester Division (Mr. Boyce), and of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. STOURTONAs the matter is urgent, will the Minister assure the House that the Government will deal with it during next Session?
§ Mr. PIKEIs the Minister aware that owing to the lack of information on this subject and hesitancy on the part of the Government to make a statement, a considerable loss of trade in forward orders is occurring in Sheffield?
§ Mr. PYBUSI am aware that uncertainty is detrimental to certain interests, and I am pressing on as fast as I can to bring an end to the uncertainty.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSCan the hon. Member say when he will be in a position to make a definite statement on this matter? Would he like an occasion Made for him on the Adjournment?
§ 23. Mr. GUYasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the representa- 336 tions which he has received against the Salter Report, he will consider appointing an advisory council as recommended by the Royal Commission on Transport?
§ Mr. PYBUSThe appointment of a Central Advisory Committee also forms one of the recommendations made by the Conference on Rail and Road Transport itself and will be considered together with their other proposals.
§ Mr. GUYWill not the Minister agree that the Advisory Committee would be of great help to him in determining some of the questions which have arisen out of the controversy between road and rail interests?
§ Mr. PYBUSAn advisory committee is one of the recommendations of the Salter Conference, and I am considering it.