§ 36 and 37. Mr. Kennedyasked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he has 394 yet received and considered the report of the Transport Advisory Council upon the appeal of the railway companies to be freed from legal requirements attached to the rates on merchandise traffic in view of the competition of coastwise shipping and road transport; and what action the Government propose to take regarding the appeal;
(2) whether he has any recent information regarding a proposed agreement between the railway companies, coast wise shipping interests, and road trans port interests aimed at an abandonment of competition between the interests mentioned in the matter of transport rates for the carriage of merchandise traffic; and whether any Parliamentary action will be taken for the protection of the public interests concerned?
§ Mr. BurginI have not yet received the report of the Transport Advisory Council on this matter. I understand that agreements between the railway companies and certain other interests have been reported to the council and are being taken into consideration by them in framing their recommendations. My remit to the council specifically asks them for advice as to what, if any, safeguards may be desirable for the protection of other interests.
§ Mr. KennedyWhen does the right hon. Gentleman expect to receive the report?
§ Mr. BurginI hope that it will be in my hands very shortly, but I have not been given any particular date.