HC Deb 01 November 1939 vol 352 cc1917-8
35. Mr. De la Bère

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view to avoiding large quantities of food going bad and having to be destroyed through delay in transit on rail, he will convene a conference of road operators for the purpose of considering in what way their services can be utilised with a view to expediting the transportation of foodstuffs?

Captain Wallace

The emergency road transport organisation works in the closest collaboration with road transport operators, and I do not think that there is any need for the special conference proposed by my hon. Friend.

Mr. De la Bère

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, given petrol, road operators can be of great assistance to the nation, and will he urge on the Government a change in technique to do away with the unfortunate bias against road operators?

Captain Wallace

I could not accept my hon. Friend's remarks for one moment. The rationing of petrol is a necessity, and we are doing our best to see that the petrol ration is distributed in the most equitable manner possible.

Mr. Macquisten

But ought we to allow perishable food to travel on railways and go rotten?