§ 37. Mr. A. Edwardsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he is aware that a North of England firm of hauliers operating 10 vehicles on long-distance work were, prior to control, running to a perfect time-table with vehicles averaging 2,000 miles each per week, whereas, under the present scheme, their average per week is about 550 miles fully loaded and 200 miles empty; and what steps he is taking to work these vehicles to capacity.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)If my hon. Friend will give me the name of the firm to which he refers I will be happy to make inquiries.
§ Mr. EdwardsIs the Minister not satisfied now, through the number of complaints that he has had, that there are grave deficiencies for the control for which he is responsible?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerNo, Sir, I am not satisfied. Whenever I get a chance to get at the facts I find that in almost every case there is a perfectly good explanation. It is quite useless to make allegations in general terms.
§ Sir H. WilliamsHas the hon. Member read the Report of the Select Committee on National Expenditure criticising the scheme?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, I have read it, and I think that in due course my Noble Friend will be desirous of making some observations on the Report.
§ 39. Captain Stricklandasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why a five-ton Bedford lorry belonging to Mr. C. H. Ward, haulage contractor of Send, Surrey, was despatched on 25th February from the garage at Ripley to report at Guildford to pick up a load of 33 cartons of baby rag dolls and a bundle of empty sacks weighing eight cwts.; why a man was detailed at Guildford to accompany the driver and make three purchasing calls at various stores on the journey which included collecting five parcels of one and a half cwts. at Walham Green and 30 lbs. of rags at 44, Hatton Garden, two parcels at Harding Dye Works, Kingston-on-Thames, and a sewing machine at Guildford; and whether he is satisfied that this round, occupying 10½ hours and consuming 10 gallons of petrol was urgent and essential.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am not fully satisfied about the use made of this lorry, and I am making further inquiries.
§ Captain StricklandIs there any hope that this mismanagement of road transport by the State will receive the Minister's serious consideration?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI shall take note of the terms of the hon. and gallant Member's Question. The whole of the road haulage organisation receives continual consideration from my Noble Friend and myself.
§ Mr. MathersWill the Minister say, if these difficulties that are continually exposed by the hon. and gallant Member arise when there is a close control, what is likely to have been the position when the matter was subject to the chaos of private enterprise?
§ 59. Sir O. Simmondsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport why hired undertakings under the Ministry of War Transport haulage organisation receive disadvantageous financial treatment compared with controlled undertakings.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI do not accept my hon. Friend's suggestion that the remuneration for vehicles hired by the Road 1430 Haulage Organisation compares unfavourably with the average remuneration of controlled undertakings.
§ Sir O. SimmondsIs my hon. Friend aware that there is grave dissatisfaction about these inequalities, and will be receive a deputation from these hired operators?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am always happy to receive a deputation. There is, in fact, established machinery, initiated by my Noble Friend, for dealing with such questions. There was a recent meeting about the rates paid for hired vehicles, and full agreement was reached.