§ 41. Sir Geoffrey Manderasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport if he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation to make pertnanent the war-time regulations for public control of the railways.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (Mr. Noel-Baker)Under the Railway Control Agreement of 1941 the railways will remain under Government control for at least one year after the cessation of hostilities, and probably longer, There will, therefore, be ample time for the consideration of the important questions of the future.
§ Sir G. ManderWill my hon. Friend take care that this great public service is not handed back to private enterprise?
§ Mr. Rhys DaviesHas my hon. Friend done anything to preclude the possibility of any railway company concentrating its productive work in such a way as to make some of their smaller plants derelict as soon as the war is over?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDuring the war their production is fully controlled in the national interest.
§ Sir Henry Morris-JonesIs it not a fact that a continuation of war-time controls after the war is not desired by the Liberals of this country?