HC Deb 09 December 1946 vol 431 c741
30 Brigadier Mackeson

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an estimate of the number of A, B and C licence holders in the coastal towns of Kent and Sussex whose vehicles proceed inland beyond a 40-mile radius.

Mr. Barnes

Exact figures are not avail able, but I am informed that there are probably some 200 licence holders in these towns, who operate on a substantial scale beyond a 40-mile radius from their base, and some 600 who do so occasionally. These figures must be taken as rough estimates. I am not in a position to give separate figures for A, B and C licensees.

Brigadier Mackeson

Is not it very desirable that the Minister should1 take the trouble to obtain the requisite data before introducing legislation of a highly controversial and dangerous nature?

Mr. Barnes

We have the general in formation, but to break it down into districts would mean unnecessary labour, in view of the shortage of labour.