HC Deb 26 October 1932 vol 269 cc966-7
20. Captain P. MACDONALD

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is intended to take any immediate action with regard to the Salter Committee Report; and what bodies interested in road and rail transport he proposes to consult before so doing?

25. Mr. LOVAT-FRASER

asked the Minister of Transport if he proposes to take any action on the Salter Report on Transport; and if so, when?

38. Mr. LEVY

asked the Minister of Transport what action is being taken on the Salter Report?

The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Pybus)

At the moment I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave on the 20th instant to my hon. Friend the Member for Salford South (Mr. Stourton), a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friends.

Mr. LOUIS SMITH

Is the Minister aware that the advent of this Salter Report has thoroughly dislocated certain trades, and will he as soon as possible come to a decision on this important matter?

Mr. PYBUS

I can assure my hon. Friend that I appreciate the facts of the situation, and that no time whatever will be lost.

31. Mr. HUTCHISON

asked the Minister of Transport what steps were taken to ensure that in the appointment of the Salter Committee the representatives of the road transport industry were satisfactory to the various organisations representing road transport interests?

Mr. PYBUS

The representatives of the road transport industry were nominated by the Standing Joint Committee of Mechanical Road Transport Associations—a body whose representative character cannot seriously be challenged—as being persons well qualified in every way to be members of the Conference on Rail and Road Transport.

Sir J. SANDEMAN ALLEN

Were the heavy transport haulers properly represented? I understand the complaint is that they had not an opportunity of stating their case?

Mr. PYBUS

Oh, yes; there were two or three representatives of heavy road haulage.

32. Mr. DUCKWORTH

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the depression and loss of employment that has resulted in the steam-propelled road vehicle industry following the publication of the recommendations of the Salter Committee: and whether the Government proposes to take action on the lines recommended by the committee?

Mr. PYBUS

I appreciate my hon. Friend's point, but I am unable at present to add anything to the answer which I gave on the 20th October to the hon. Member for the South Salford Division, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.