§ 38. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to announce a reduction of motor-licence fees in consideration of the undertaking given by the Nigerian Motor Transport Union; and whether he has decided to afford the union representation on the Transport Advisory Board?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreIn reply to representations made to the Governor of Nigeria, the Nigerian Motor Transport Union has been informed that, in the case of commercial road vehicles plying between Ijebu and Abeokuta provinces, the increased licence fee would be removed, but not in other cases. A reduction would, however, be made in the increased cost at present incurred in taking out the double licence quarterly instead of for a full year. As the result of further representations the Governor has directed that investigations should be made into the application of the double licence fees as between lorries competing with the Government railway and railway feeder lorries. These investigations are reported 2195 to be proceeding. As regards the Transport Advisory Board, it was explained to the Union that the constitution of a Standing Area Committee of the Board provided for the inclusion of a member of the Union.
§ Mr. MathersIn view of the burden that this extra licence fee has placed upon the Transport Union, will the right hon. Gentleman arrange to wipe out the competition with the railway by getting the motor Transport Union to agree to higher rates on the road in order to make them less competitive with the railways, and will he in these circumstances agree to the reduction of the licence fees?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThat is a rather complicated supplementary question, and I would like to see it on the Paper. It is a clear case of competition between Government lorries and privately-owned lorries, and it is therefore a complex question.