HC Deb 16 November 1938 vol 341 cc873-4
68 Sir A. Knox

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what action was taken by his Department on the plan put forward by the associated road operators three years ago for the use of transport in an emergency;

(2) whether he has any organisation in his Ministry to consider preparation for an emergency such as the construction of strategic roads, the use and allocation of transport, and the storage of petrol;

(3) whether he has a complete list of motor-vehicles in this country, and, in order to prevent confusion in a crisis, he has ready a scheme for allotting these vehicles to their special duties?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Captain Austin Hudson)

The organisation in my right hon. Friend's Department for dealing with transport in time of war, after careful examination of proposals by various bodies and after consultation with persons in the road transport industry, prepared a scheme of which brief particulars were published in the Press on 22nd September last. The Chairmen of Traffic Commissioners, who are charged with responsible duties under the scheme, hold already records of goods vehicles and public service vehicles; these records will be amplified to make them more useful in emergency. Detailed records of private cars are kept by the local taxation licensing authorities. Strategic considerations and possible emergency demands are taken into account in determining the programme of road work to be carried out by, or assisted by, my right hon. Friend's Department. The maintenance of supplies of petrol and fuel does not fall within my right hon. Friend's province.

Sir A. Knox

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman state why his Department issued this scheme only a week before the crisis, when there was obviously not enough time to get the whole thing into working order? Is it not advisable that he should have a department in his Ministry specially looking after preparations for an emergency?

Captain Hudson

There is such a deportment, and has been for some time.

Mr. Holdsworth

Is the department in touch with the associations representing those possessing motor vehicles?

Captain Hudson

Yes, Sir, in close touch.

Mr. Macquisten

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take into consideration the fact that there were not nearly enough vehicles in existence owing to the obstructive tactics of the Ministry of Transport under the Road and Rail Traffic Act?