HC Deb 14 December 1938 vol 342 cc1997-8
85. Mr. Creech Jones

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the four main line railway companies submitted a Memorandum to the Transport Advisory Council on 7th September, 1936, in which they did not ask to be exempted from their obligations regarding rate-fixing, which they regard as not inappropriate to a public service, and suggested that the acceptance of analogous obligations by road hauliers would constitute a step essential to the building up of any stable and equitable system of coordination; and whether he will take steps to hasten the co-ordination of transport rather than introduce the legislation now demanded by the railway companies for the removal of the existing statutory requirements?

Mr. Burgin

I am aware of the Memorandum referred to. The whole question of the co-ordination of transport is receiving my earnest consideration in the light of the reports of the Transport Advisory Council on Service and Rates, and in referring the present proposals of the railway companies to that Council for their very early consideration and advice I have informed them that I am inclined to the view that in existing circumstances there is prima facie a case for some material relaxation of existing statutory regulations providing that due regard is had to the ultimate objective of the coordination of all forms of transport.

Mr. Watkins

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply mean that, since he is giving consideration to the co-ordination aspect of this question, there is a possibility that that aspect might take precedence over the railway companies' present claims?

Mr. Burgin

I think the objective to be attained is the co-ordination of the forms of transport. That is one of the principal matters in view, in the reference of the particular remedies suggested by the railway companies, to the Transport Advisory Council.

Mr. Watkins

What I am asking is, does the right hon. Gentleman consider it possible that he might advise that coordination should take precedence of, and so render unnecessary, the proposals of the railway companies?

Mr. Burgin

I am hardly in a position to say that yet.

Mr. Holdsworth

Would the Minister give the House a definition of "co-ordination"?