§ 28. Mr. Wootton-Daviesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry 1044 of War Transport whether he will consider the desirability of permitting horse-drawn transport to operate beyond the one-mile radius in connection with the scheme for pooling retail deliveries in order to encourage the diversion of delivery work to such transport?
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)Schemes for the rationalisation of retail deliveries are settled locally to meet local conditions. They are founded on certain common principles, but there is no general restriction to a radius of one mile. In order to secure the maximum economy both of transport and man-power, the Government have brought all forms of retailers' deliveries into the schemes, whether by motor-van, horse and cart, bicycle, or messenger. To adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion would not only mean a serious loss of economy in man-power, but would also entail an unjust discrimination between different traders.
§ Mr. Evelyn WalkdenDoes my hon. Friend include ice-cream wagons, lorries or barrows which are mechanically propelled vehicles? Does he allow them to travel 14 miles and regard that as being pooled transport?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIf my hon. Friend will put down a Question, I will answer it.