§ 22. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of War Transport the number of vehicles operated by his Department under the Road Haulage Organisation; the number compulsorily acquired with the controlled undertakings; and the number hired to it.
§ Mr. BarnesThe number of vehicles controlled by the Road Haulage Organisation is 33,816. The number of vehicles operated by controlled undertakings under agreements is 11,891, and the number of vehicles on long term hire is 7.871. The balance is made up 881 mainly of vehicles on charter or regular hire for the carriage of meat, and some 1,500 ex-War Department vehicles. No vehicles have been compulsorily acquired.
§ Mr. DaviesIn view of the large scale operations of the Road Haulage Organisation, will the Minister consider publishing a report on its operations, especially in view of the paucity of statistics in that industry?
§ Mr. BarnesI will certainly consider that suggestion.
§ 23. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of War Transport the number of road haulage vehicles, other than ancillary users possessed of C licences, operating long-distance work outside the Road Haulage Organisation.
§ Mr. BarnesOn the assumption that the information desired is the numbers of road haulage vehicles operating under permits granted under the Road Transport of Goods Order, 1944, I am asking the Regional Transport Commissioners to furnish me with such information as they have and 1 will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
Mr. De la BèreIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the rest of the House would like to have the answer too?