HC Deb 15 March 1944 vol 398 cc217-8
16. Mr. Keeling

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he is aware that after a bench of magistrates imposed a nominal penalty on a Twickenham firm who had used petrol to send a lorry to have its tipping gear repaired, a Regional Transport Commissioner's chief assistant wrote to the defendants that the Commissioner took a serious view of the irregularity and would not hesitate to take the strongest possible action if any further irregularity occurred; and whether he will issue instructions that the practice of despatching a threatening letter after a conviction shall cease.

Mr. Noel-Baker

As I have explained to my hon. Friend, it is the practice of the Regional Transport Commissioners to send a warning to operators of goods vehicles who are convicted of misusing the fuel which they receive. I cannot agree with my hon. Friend when he describes this warning as a threatening "letter." The need to save petrol and rubber is still urgent, and I do not, therefore, think it would be right for me to forbid the Commissioners to warn those who have made mistakes, of what may happen if the mistakes occur again.

Mr. Keeling

Does my hon. Friend think is right that after a man has been fined and has paid his fine, he should then receive such a letter from a civil servant?

Mr. Noel-Baker

The firm has committed an offence. It was convicted and fined £2 and costs and the driver was fined. The defence was that they had not known what they ought to do. They ought to have known, and the warning was intended to make it quite plain that such a defence would not carry any weight again with the Commissioner.

Captain Strickland

Had not the firm already been warned by the magistrates?

Mr. Noel-Baker

The Regional Transport Commissioners carry very heavy responsibilities in the public interest. Even if sometimes they are a little over-zealous, I think it is better to trust to their discretion —[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—rather than hamper them in the execution of their duties.

Earl Winterton

Are we to understand from the hon. Gentleman's two answers, that he suggests that these people have disciplinary powers?

Mr. Noel-Baker

They are responsible for ensuring that the fuel which is issued to these operators is used for the purpose for which they get it. They must have the power to ensure that that is carried out. They are responsible to the Government for that.

Mr. Keeling

I beg to give notice that owing to the obviously unsatisfactory reply I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.