§ Considered in Committee under Standing Order No. 69.
§ [Major MILNER in the Chair]
§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to provide, amongst other things, for the establishment of a British Transport Commission, it is expedient to authorise—
2098
§ 10.41 p.m.
§ Major Peter Roberts (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I cannot let this Resolution go by without raising some points on behalf of the taxpayers who have to foot the bill. On the Coal Bill, there was a great deal of argument which was not allowed upstairs because it was covered by the Money Resolution. It is this stage which gives opportunity for Members to raise the position of the taxpayer. Therefore, I wish to refer to paragraph (a) of the Resolution, which refers to the amount of money which we in this Committee are making the Treasury responsible for paying. We have passed the Second Reading of the Bill, and we have agreed to the principle that there shall be compensa- 2100 tion. Some Members on one side of the Committee say that the compensation is sufficient; others, on this side, say that it is not enough. Nevertheless, there is to be compensation. But I see no reason why we should pass this Resolution, which asks us to pay an unlimited amount. This is the fundamental point in that paragraph:
the payment out of the Consolidated Fund of such sums as may be required to fulfil any guarantee by the Treasury of the principal of and interest on stock.In the Bill itself there is no actual limit. There is an estimate by the Chancellor of the Exchequer of £1,065,000,000, but with regard to road transport it is stated that it is not possible to form an estimate of the compensation payable.I suggest that this is the responsibility of this Committee, and I, on behalf of my constituents, at any rate, will not agree to this Resolution with an unlimited figure in it. Surely it is the responsibility of the Treasury Bench to put some limit on this figure, so that if they have to go higher, they will come back to consult the House. The House of Commons in the past has always refused to give to the Executive unlimited financial powers. In point of fact, there was a war between the Executive and Parliament on this very issues. I would like to ask why the Chancellor of the Exchequer should take upon himself powers which eventually led to King Charles I losing his head. A man said to me the other day that history sometimes repeats itself, but I suggest that that is going too far. When one finds a man who comes up, and says, "This is not going to cost very much; it is a fair proposition, and you can give me a blank cheque," surely it is a reasonable thing to say, "No, I will not do it." Is it to be £1,500,000,000 for which the Government are asking? That we do not know, and I suggest that we should not pass this Resolution until we know that there is some sort of limit to this sort of thing. It is our responsibility to the electors and to the taxpayers, direct and indirect. To those people we owe the duty not to pass this Financial Resolution unless we do so in a businesslike way.
§ 10.46 p.m.
§ Sir William Darling (Edinburgh, South)I confess that I share the anxieties which have been expressed by my hon. 2101 and gallant Friend, but I cannot say that I participate in the feelings of levity which seem, at the moment, to characterise most of the hon. Members of the Committee, and I cannot allow the passing of this Resolution without observation or comment. They are just like the Gadarene swine—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—rushing to the financial precipice, and I think that I am entitled to satisfy myself at least, as a typical representative of the people concerned, on a number of these matters. I would like to know several things from the Financial Secretary. I want his elucidation on line 11—that part which refers to moneys temporarily borrowed by the Commission. I would ask, From whom are the Commission going to borrow these moneys? Are they to be borrowed from the public, from the banks, or from the Bank of England, or from whom? [An HON. MEMBER: "What is the difference?"] The hon. Gentleman asks what is the difference. Well, if there is no difference in his mind, there is a considerable difference in mine. We have an ignorant curiosity to be satisfied on that matter.
I pass now to line 15 of paragraph (b). It is that part which concerns itself with the remuneration of any auditor appointed. In any public flotation of any company, an auditor is known to the directors before they consider a prospectus, and the remuneration is provided for. But what is to be the remuneration here? Is it to be chosen by the whim and caprice of the Minister? How is the auditor to be appointed? Is he to be chosen from the professional societies of such officers? Is he to be a chartered accountant, or a fellow accountant under the Scottish system? There is no definition in this matter. I know some auditors who would be excluded by this loose definition. These matters may sound very trivial, to those who are less well versed in the passing of great transport Bills. [Interruption.] I must offer an apology, but I am doing this for the first time, and I want to know if the Scottish society, which is a professional body of high standing, is to be included in the word "auditor" as well as the English corporation.
May we also have the guidance of the Minister on line 22, paragraph (b, iii)? It says:
fees and allowances to any referee or board of referees …2102 This raises a very difficult principle. Is it intended, by the Financial Resolution, that a single referee may adjudicate in a matter of this high importance, or is there to be a board of referees? There must surely be some difference between individualism and collectivism. Is it being suggested that there is no difference whatever? I think there should be some elucidation for the less enlightened, for those of us who are less mentally and physically equipped than some others for understanding a document of this description. There is a tendency to speak on this matter on the highest level. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is undoubtedly a sinner in this respect. He talks to those who are intellectually his equals. That is a very small audience in this Committee. He must descend from those Olympian heights to more mundane levels. I ask him to clear his mind on this occasion about whether, in relation to paragraph (b, iii), it is to be a referee or a board of referees, and whether a referee will receive the same emoluments as a board, or whether the board will receive the emoluments, divided by five or three, or whatever the number may be? This Committee should be treated as in no way inferior to a board of directors, even though the directors are doomed to disappear. I put these three conundrums to the Minister. If I give the impression to the Committee of having studied this Resolution thoroughly, I must say there are many other matters about which I am also anxious. But why I should be the interpreter for the dullards of the Committee I do not know. If further inquiries are permissible, there is no limit to this interrogation. I want only to know something about paragraph (b, v), which relates tothe remuneration and expenses of additional members of the Transport Tribunal referred to in the said Act;This is the first indication I have had of additional members of the proliferating bureaucracy—I think my hon. Friend the Member for Monmouth (Mr. P. Thorneycroft) so described it. A substantial extension of that somewhat flowery metaphor seems to be indicated bythe remuneration … of additional members ….Why are there to be additional members; how many are they to be; are they to be specified? I should be willing to pass from that matter if the Chancellor specially pressed me, but I would add that this 2103 Financial Resolution is dangerous. Except to those who are financial pundits, it is obscure, difficult and complicated. I hope that as I have been bold enough to expose the abysmal ignorance in which I live, work and have my being, other hon. Members will have the moral courage to stand up and ask for further elucidation. This dim mystery of finance in which we work, which the Chancellor has rather accentuated than dissipated, must be cleared up. The fog of financial ignorance must be scattered, and, as a result of these observations. I hope that we shall have some light, if not leading, from the Treasury Bench.
§ 10.55 p.m.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)As I listened to the hon. Member for South Edinburgh (Sir W. Darling), I hoped that we should have his witty and interesting contributions to our discussions in Committee on many of the points he raised. In regard to the point raised by the hon and gallant Member for Ecclesall (Major Roberts) on paragraph (a) of the Financial Resolution, may I say that the people of this country, the taxpayers, are, as a matter of fact, making a very good deal on this part of the provisions. The hon. and gallant Member has overlooked the fact—and this has been a great feature of the Second Reading Debate—that this Treasury guarantee enables us to get this money at 2½ per cent., instead of 3, 3½ or 4 per cent., and, instead of the Treasury guarantee representing a burden on the taxpayer, it represents an advantage of something like £17 or £18 million a year the interest burden of these undertakings.
§ Major Roberts rose—
§ Mr. BarnesNo, let me develop the point. That is the main purpose of the Treasury guarantee. If the hon. and gallant Member will look at Clause 3 of the Bill, he will see that the Commission is charged with the responsibility of paying its way, and that it is only in the event of the Commission being in default that this Treasury guarantee will come into operation. Therefore, it is not a question 2104 of the taxpayer being charged with an unlimited sum, either this year or in any other year. It represents a definite advantage to the Commission, enabling them to get the necessary finance at very advantageous rates. It is only in the event of the Commission not being able to discharge that obligation, that this guarantee comes into force.
§ Mr. Drayson (Skipton)The Minister says he will get this money at 2½ per cent. Does he not realise that this money is to be used while the Commission is being set up; and is not money to be used for compensation? As I read the Resolution, I see mention of a sum of £50 million and, later, of "a sum not to exceed £25 million." This is short-term and not long-term money to be used for compensation stock, and, if the Chancellor charges the Minister 2½ per cent. it will be far too much.
§ Mr. BarnesThe power of the Commission to raise £250 million of additional and fresh capital is a further point to which I was going to refer, but the Treasury guarantee can cover all stock issued by the Transport Commission, and I was dealing with the major stock whereby the railways, canals and London Transport would be acquired and transferred. In addition, of course, it could apply to the maximum amount of the powers to raise fresh capital, which represent a sum of £250 million, and to temporary borrowing amounting to £25 million. With regard to the auditor and referee, and the other points raised by the hon. Member for South Edinburgh, I should warn him not to pursue this matter too far in his castigations. Some special Scottish interests may be affected at some stage of this Bill, and it may be desirable that I should propose, as I indicated, to bring in Scottish representatives. That may mean some of the additional representatives whom the hon. Member has been discussing tonight.
§ Question put.
§ The Committee divided: Ayes, 336; Noes, 188.
2097| Division No. 41. | AYES | [10.25 p.m. |
| Agnew, Cmdr. P. G. | Dower, Lt.-Col. A. V. G. (Penrith) | Hurd, A. |
| Aitken, Hon. Max. | Dower, E. L. G. (Caithness) | Hutchison, Lt.-Cm Clark (E'b'rgh, W) |
| Amory, D. Heathcoat | Drayson, G. B. | Hutchison, Col. J. R (Glasgow. C.) |
| Anderson, Rt. Hn. Sir J. (Scot. Univ.) | Drewe, C. | Jarvis, Sir J. |
| Assheton, Rt. Hon. R. | Dugdale, Maj. Sir T (Richmond) | Jeffreys, General Sir G. |
| Astor, Hon. M. | Duncan, Rt. Hn. Sir A. (City of Lond) | Jennings, R. |
| Baldwin, A E. | Duthie, W. S. | Joynson-Hicks, Lt.-Cdr Hon. L. M. |
| Barlow, Sir J. | Eccles, D. M | Keeling, E. H. |
| Baxter, A. B. | Eden, Rt. Hon A. | Kerr, Sir J Graham |
| Beamish, Maj. T. V. H. | Elliot, Rt. Hon W. E. | Kingsmill, Lt.-Col. W. H. |
| Beechman, N. A. | Erroll, F. J. | Lambert, Hon. G. |
| Bennett, Sir P. | Fleming, Sqn.-Ldr. E. L. | Lancaster, Col C. G. |
| Boles, Lt.-Col D. C. (Wells) | Foster, J. G. (Northwich) | Langford-Holt, J. |
| Boothby, R. | Fox, Sqn.-Ldr. Sir G. | Law Rt Hon R. K. |
| Bossom, A. C. | Fraser, Sir I. (Lonsdale) | Legge-Bourke, Maj. E. A. H. |
| Bowen, R. | Fyfe, Rt. Hon. Sir D. P. M. | Lennox-Boyd, A T. |
| Bower, N. | Gage, C. | Lindsay, M. (Solihull) |
| Boyd-Carpenter, J. A. | Galbraith, Cmdr, T. D. | Linstead H. N. |
| Bracken, Rt. Hon. Brendan | Gates, Maj. E. E. | Lipson, D. L. |
| Braithwaite, Lt.-Comdr. J. G. | George, Lady M. Lloyd (Anglesey) | Lloyd, Selwyn (Wirral) |
| Bullock, Capt. M. | Glossop, C W H. | Lucas, Major Sir J. |
| Butcher, H. W. | Glyn, Sir R. | Lucas-Tooth, Sir H. |
| Butler, Rt. Hon. R. A. (S'ffr'n W'ld'n) | Gomme-Duncan, Col. A G. | MacAndrew, Col. Sir C. |
| Byers, Frank | Grant, Lady | MacDonald, Sir M. (Inverness) |
| Carson, E. | Granville, E. (Eye) | Macdonald, Sir P. (Isle of Wight) |
| Challen, C. | Gridley, Sir A. | Mackeson, Brig. H. R. |
| Channon, H. | Grimston, R. V. | McKie, J. H (Galloway) |
| Churchill, Rt. Hon. W S. | Hannon, Sir P. (Moseley) | Maclay, Hon. J. S. |
| Clarke, Col. R. S. | Hare, Hon. J H. (Woodbridge) | Maclean, Brig F H. R. (Lancaster) |
| Clifton-Brown, Lt.-Col. G. | Harris, H Wilson | MacLeod, Capt J. |
| Conant, Maj. R. J. E. | Harvey, Air-Comdre A. V. | Macmillan, Rt. Hon. Harold (Bromley) |
| Cooper-Key, E. M. | Haughton, S. G. | Macpherson, Maj. N. (Dumfries) |
| Corbett, Lieut.-Col. U. (Ludlow) | Head, Brig. A H. | Maitland, Comdr. J. W. |
| Crookshank, Capt. Rt. Hon. H. F. C. | Headlam, Lieut -Col Rt. Hon. Sir C. | Manningham-Buller, R. E. |
| Crosthwaite-Eyre, Col. O. E. | Henderson, John (Cathcart) | Marlowe, A A H |
| Crowder, Capt. John F. | Herbert, Sir A. P. | Marsden Capt. A. |
| Cuthbert, W. N. | Hinchingbrooke, Viscount | Marshall, D. (Bodmin) |
| Darling, Sir W. Y. | Hogg, Hon. Q. | Marshall, S H.(Sutton) |
| Davidson, Viscountess | Hollis, M. C. | Maude, J. C. |
| Davies, Clement (Montgomery) | Holmes Sir J. Stanley (Harwich) | Medlicott, F. |
| De la Bère R. | Hope, Lord J. | Mellor, Sir J. |
| Digby, S. W. | Howard Hon. A | Molson, A. H. E. |
| Dodds-Parker, A. D. | Hudson, Rt. Hon. R. S. (Southport) | Morris, Hopkin (Carmarthen) |
| Donner, Sqn.-Ldr P. W. | Hulbert, Wing-Cdr. N. J. | Morris-Jones, Sir H. |
| Morrison, Maj. J G. (Salisbury) | Roberts, W (Cumberland, N.) | Thorneycroft, G. E. P. (Monmouth) |
| Morrison, Rt Hon W. S. (Cirencester) | Robinson, Wing-Comdr. Roland | Thornton-Kemsley, C. N. |
| Mott-Radclyffe, Maj. C. E. | Ropner, Col. L. | Thorp, Lt.-Col. R. A. F. |
| Neven-Spence, Sir B. | Salter, Rt. Hon. Sir J. T. | Touche, G C. |
| Nicholson, G. | Sanderson, Sir F. | Turton, R H. |
| Nield, B. (Chester) | Savory, Prot D. L. | Vane, W M. F. |
| Noble, Comdr A H P | Scott, Lord W. | Wadsworth, G. |
| Nutting, Anthony | Shephard, S (Newark) | Wakefield, Sir W. W. |
| O'Neill, Rt Hon. Sir H | Shepherd, W. S (Bucklow) | Walker-Smith, D. |
| Orr-Ewing, I. L. | Smiles, Lt -Col Sir W. | Ward, Hon G. R. |
| Osborne, C | Smith, E P. (Ashford) | Wall, Sir G. S. Harvie |
| Peto, Brig C H M | Smithers, Sir W | Wheatley, Colonel M. J. |
| Pickthorn, K. | Snadden, W. M. | White Sir D. (Fareham) |
| Pitman, I. J. | Spearman, A. C. M | White, J. B (Canterbury) |
| Poole, O. B. S. (Oswestry) | Spence, H. R. | Williams, C. (Torquay) |
| Prescott, Stanley | Stanley, Rt. Hon. O. | Williams, Gerald (Tonbridge) |
| Price-White, Lt.-Col D | Stewart, J Henderson (Fife, E.) | Willink, Rt. Hon. H. U. |
| Prior-Palmer, Brig O. | Stoddart-Scott, Col. M. | Willoughby de Eresby, Lord |
| Rayner, Brig R. | Strauss, H G. (English Universities) | Winterton, Rt. Hon Earl |
| Reed, Sir S (Aylesbury) | Stuart, Rt. Hon. J (Moray) | York, C. |
| Reid, Rt. Hon. J. S. C. (Hillhead) | Sutcliffe, H. | Young, Sir A. S. L. (Partick) |
| Renton, D. | Taylor, C. S. (Eastbourne) | |
| Roberts, Emrys (Merioneth) | Taylor, Vice-Adm E. A (P'dd't'n, S.) | TELLERS FOR THE AYES: |
| Roberts, H (Handsworth) | Teeling, William | Mr. Bachan-Hepburn and |
| Roberts, Maj. P G (Ecclesall) | Thomas J P L (Hereford) | Major Ramsay. |
| NOES | ||
| Adams, Richard (Balham) | Cluse, W S | Gibbins, J |
| Adams, W T. (Hammersmith, South) | Cobb, F. A. | Gibson, C. W. |
| Alexander, Rt. Hon A. V. | Cocks, F S | Gilzean, A. |
| Allen, A. C. (Bosworth) | Coldrick, W. | Glanville, J. E. (Consett) |
| Allen, Scholefield (Crewe) | Collick, P. | Gooch, E. C. |
| Allighan, Garry | Collindridge, F. | Goodrich, H. E. |
| Alpass, J. H. | Collins, V J. | Gordon-Walker, P. C. |
| Anderson, A (Motherwell) | Colman, Miss G. M. | Greenwood, Rt. Hon. A. (Wakebeld) |
| Anderson, F. (Whitehaven) | Con[...]ns, Dr.[...]. | Greenwood, A W J (Heywood) |
| Attewell, H C | Cook, T. F. | Grenfell, D R |
| Attles, Rt. Hon. C. R. | Corbet, Mrs F K (Camb'well, N. W) | Grey, C. F |
| Austin, H L | Corlett, Dr. J. | Grierson, E. |
| Awbery, S S | Corvedale, Viscount | Griffiths, Rt. Hon. J (Llanelly) |
| Ayles, W. H. | Cove, W. G. | Gunter, R. J. |
| Ayrton Gould, Mrs B. | Crawley, A. | Guy, W. H. |
| Bacon, Miss A | Cripps, Rt. Hon. Sir S. | Haire, John E (Wycombe) |
| Baird, J. | Crossman, R. H. S. | Hale, Leslie |
| Balfour, A. | Daggar, G. | Hall, W. G. |
| Barnes, Rt. Hon. A. J. | Daines, P. | Hamilton, Lieut-Col. R. |
| Barstow, P. G. | Dalton, Rt. Hon. H. | Hannan, W. (Maryhill) |
| Barton, C. | Davies, Edward (Burslem) | Hardman, D. R. |
| Battley, J. R. | Davies, Harold (Leek) | Hardy, E. A. |
| Bechervaise, A. E. | Davies, Haydn (St. Pancras, S.W) | Harrison, J. |
| Belcher, J W | Davies, R. J. (Westhoughton) | Hastings, Dr. Somerville |
| Bellenger, Rt. Hon. F. J. | Davies, S. O. (Merthyr) | Haworth, J. |
| Benson, G. | Deer, G. | Henderson, A. (Kingswinford) |
| Berry, H. | Delargy, Captain H. J | Herbison, Miss M. |
| Bevan, Rt. Hon. A (Ebbw Vale) | Diamond, J. | Hewitson, Capt M. |
| Bing, G. H. C. | Dobbie, W. | Hicks, G. |
| Binns, J. | Dodds, N N | Hobson, C. R. |
| Blackburn, A. R. | Donovan, T. | Holman, P. |
| Blenkinsop, A. | Driberg, T. E. N. | Holmes, H. E. (Hemsworth) |
| Blyton W. R. | Dugdale, J (W Bromwich) | House, G. |
| Boardman, H. | Dumpleton, C. W. | Hubbard, T. |
| Bottomley, A. G | Durbin, E. F M. | Hudson, J. H. (Ealing, W.) |
| Bowden, Flg.-Offr. H. W. | Dye, S. | Hughes, Hector (Aberdeen, N.) |
| Bowles, F. G. (Nuneaton) | Edelman, M. | Hughes, H. D (Wolverhampton, W) |
| Braddock, Mrs. E. M. (L'pl, Exch'ge) | Edwards, A. (Middlesbrough, E.) | Hutchinson, H. L. (Rusholme) |
| Braddock, T. (Mitcham) | Edwards, Rt. Hon. Sir C. (Bedwellty) | Hynd, H. (Hackney, C.) |
| Bramall, Major E. A. | Edwards, John (Blackburn) | Hynd, J. B. (Attercliffe) |
| Brock, D (Halifax) | Edwards, W. J. (Whitechapel) | Irving, W J. |
| Brooks, T. J (Rothwell) | Evans, E. (Lowestoft) | Isaacs, Rt. Hon G. A. |
| Brown, George (Belper) | Evans, John (Ogmore) | Jay, D. P. T. |
| Brown, T. J. (Ince) | Evans, S. N. (Wednesbury) | Jeger, G. (Winchester) |
| Bruce, Maj. D. W. T. | Ewart, R. | Jeger, Dr. S W (St. Pancras, S.E) |
| Buchanan, G. | Fairhurst, F. | John, W. |
| Burden T W. | Farthing, W. J. | Jones, D. T (Hartlepools) |
| Burke, W. A. | Field, Captain W. J. | Jones, Elwyn (Plaistow) |
| Butler, H W. (Hackney S.) | Fletcher, E. G. M. (Islington, E.) | Jones, J. H. (Bolton) |
| Callaghan, James | Follick, M. | Jones, P. Asterley (Hitchin) |
| Carmichael, James | Foot, M. M. | Keenan, W. |
| Castle, Mrs. B. A. | Forman, J. C. | Kenyon, C |
| Chamberlain, R. A | Fraser, T. (Hamilton) | Key, C. W. |
| Champion, A. J. | Freeman Peter (Newport) | King, E. M. |
| Chater, D. | Gaitskell, H. T. N. | Kinghorn, Sqn.-Ldr E. |
| Chetwynd, G. R. | Gallacher, W. | Kinley, J. |
| Clitherow, Dr R. | Ganley, Mrs. C. S. | Kirby. B. V. |
| Kirkwood, D. | Paling, Rt. Hon. Wilfred (Wentworth) | Stross, Dr. B. |
| Lang, G. | Palmer, A. M. F. | Summerskill, Dr. Edith |
| Lee, F. (Hulme) | Pargiter, G A. | Swingler S. |
| Lee, Miss J. (Cannock) | Parker, J. | Symonds, A. L. |
| Leonard, W. | Parkin, B. T. | Taylor, H B (Mansfield) |
| Leslie, J. R. | Paton, Mrs F. (Rushcliffe) | Taylor, R J (Morpeth) |
| Levy, B. W. | Paton J. (Norwich) | Taylor, Dr. S. (Barnet) |
| Lewis, A. W. J. (Upton) | Pearson, A. | Thomas, D. E. (Aberdare) |
| Lewis, J. (Bolton) | Peart, Capt. T. F. | Thomas, Ivor (Keighley) |
| Lewis, T (Southampton) | Perrins, W. | Thomas, I. O. (Wrekin) |
| Lindgren, G. S. | Piratin, P. | Thomas, George (Cardiff) |
| Lipton, Lt.-Col. M. | Platts-Mills, J. F. F. | Thomson, Rt. Hn. G. R. (Ed'b'gh, E) |
| Logan, D. G. | Poole, Major Cecil (Lichfield) | Thorneycroft, Harry (Clayton) |
| Longden, F. | Popplewell, E. | Thurtle, E. |
| Lyne A. W. | Porter, G. (Leeds) | Tiffany, S. |
| McAdam, W. | Price, M. Philips | Timmons, J. |
| McAllister, G. | Pritt, D. N. | Titterington, M. F. |
| McEntee, V. La. T. | Proctor, W. T. | Tolley, L. |
| McGhee, H. G. | Pryde, D. J. | Tomlinson, Rt. Hon. |
| McGovern, J. | Pursey, Cmdr. H. | Turner-Samuels, M. |
| Mack, J. D. | Randall, H. E. | Ungoed-Thomas, L. |
| McKay, J. (Wallsend) | Ranger, J. | Usborne, Henry |
| Mackay, R. W. G. (Hull N. W.) | Rankin, J. | Vernon, Maj. W. |
| McKinlay, A. S. | Rees-Williams, D. R. | Viant, S. P. |
| Maclean, N. (Govan) | Reeves, J. | Walkden, E. |
| McLeavy, F. | Reid, T. (Swindon) | Walker, G. H. |
| MacMillan, M. K. (Western Isles) | Rhodes, H. | Wallace, G. D (Chislehurst) |
| McNeil Rt. Hon. H. | Richards, R. | Wallace, H. W. (Walthamstow, E) |
| Macpherson, T. (Romford) | Ridealgh Mrs. M. | Warbey, W N. |
| Mainwaring W. H. | Robens, A. | Watkins, T E. |
| Mallalieu J. P. W. | Roberts, Goronwy (Caernarvonshire) | Watson, W. M. |
| Mann, Mrs. J. | Robertson, J. J (Berwick) | Webb, M. (Bradford, C.) |
| Manning, C (CamberWell, N.) | Rogers, G. H. R. | Weitzman, D. |
| Manning, Mrs. L (Epping) | Ross, William (Kilmarnock) | Wells, W. T. (Walsall) |
| Marquand, H. A. | Royle, C. | West, D. G. |
| Marshall, F. (Brightside) | Sargood, R. | Westwood, Rt. Hon J |
| Mathers, G. | Scollan, T. | White, C. F. (Derbyshire, W.) |
| Mayhew, C. P. | Scott-Elliot, W. | Whiteley, Rt. Hon. W. |
| Medland, H. M. | Segal, Dr S. | Wigg, Col, G. E. |
| Mellish, R. J. | Shackleton, Wing-Cdr. E. A. A. | Wilcock, Group-Capt, C. A. H. |
| Messer, F. | Sharp, Granville | Wilkes, L. |
| Middleton, Mrs. L. | Shawcross, C. N. (Widnes) | Wilkins, W. A. |
| Mitchison, Maj, G. R. | Shinwell, Rt. Hon. E. | Willey F. T. (Sunderland) |
| Monslow, W. | Shurmer, P. | Willey, O. G. (Cleveland) |
| Moody, A. S. | Silkin, Rt. Hon. L. | Williams D. J. (Neath) |
| Morgan, Dr. H. B. | Silverman, J. (Erdington) | Williams, J. L. (Kelvingrove) |
| Morley, R. | Silverman, S. S. (Nelson) | Williams, Rt. Hon. T (Don Valley) |
| Morris, P. (Swansea, W.) | Simmons, C. J. | Williams, W. R. (Heston) |
| Skeffington, A. M. | Williamson, T. | |
| Morrison, Rt. Hon. H. (Lewisham, E.) | Skeffington-Lodge, T. C. | Willis, E. |
| Mort, D. L. | Skinnard, F. W. | Wills, Mrs E. A. |
| Moyle, A. | Smith, C. (Colchester) | Wilmot, Rt. Hon J. |
| Murray, J. D. | Smith, Ellis (Stoke) | Wise, Major F. J. |
| Nally, W. | Smith, H. N. (Nottingham, S.) | Woodburn, A. |
| Naylor, T. E. | Smith, S. H (Hull, S. W.) | Woods G. S. |
| Neal, H, (Claycross) | Snow, Capt. J. W. | Wyatt, W |
| Nichol, Mrs. M. E. (Bradford, N.) | Solley, L. J. | Yates, V. F. |
| Nicholls, H. R. (Stratford) | Sorensen, R. W. | Young, Sir R. (Newton) |
| Noel-Baker, Capt. F. E. (Brentford) | Soskice, Maj. Sir F. | Younger, Hon. Kenneth |
| Noel-Baker, Rt. Hon. P J. (Derby) | Sparks, J. A. | Zilliacus, K. |
| Noel-Buxton, Lady. | Stamford, W. | |
| O'Brien, T. | Steele, T. | TELLERS FOR THE NOES: |
| Oldfield, W. H. | Stephen, C. | Mr. Joseph Henderson and |
| Oliver, G. H. | Strachey, J. | Mr. Michael Stewart. |
| Orbach, M. | Strauss, G. R. (Lambeth, N.) |
| Division No. 43 | AYES | 1.0 a.m. |
| Amory, D. Heathcoat | Drewe, C. | Lucas-Tooth, Sir H.. |
| Assheton, Rt. Hon. R. | Edwards, John (Blackburn) | Mackeson, Brig. H. R. |
| Baldwin, A. E. | Elliot, Rt. Hon. W. E. | Macmillan, Rt. Hon. Harold (Bromley) |
| Boles, Lt.-Col. D. C. (Wells) | Gage, C. | Maitland, Comdr. J. W. |
| Bossom, A. C. | Gibbins, J. | Manningham-Buller, R E |
| Boyd-Carpenter, J. A. | Gomme-Duncan, Col. A. G | Marlowe, A. A. H. |
| Buchan-Hepburn, P. G. T | Gridley, sir A | Marshall, D. (Bodmin) |
| Burden, I. W. | Grimston, R. V. | Marshall, S. H. (Sutton) |
| Carson, E. | Harris, H. Wilson | Maude, J C. |
| Clarke, Col. R. S. | Henderson, Joseph (Ardwick) | Morris, P (Swansea, W.) |
| Clifton-Brown, Lt.-Col. G. | Herbert, Sir A. P. | Morrison, Maj. J. G. (Salisbury) |
| Conant, Maj. R J. E. | Hinchingbrooke, Viscount | Mott-Radclyffe, Maj. C. E. |
| Corbet, Mrs. F. K. (Camb'well, N.W) | Hollis, M. C. | Moyle, A. |
| Corbett, Lieut -Col. U (Ludlow) | Hurd, A. | Nicholson, G. |
| Crook shank, Capt. Rt. Hon. H. F. C | Joynson-Hicks, Lt.-Cdr. Hon. L. W | Noel-Buxton, Lady |
| Crosthwaite-Eyre, Col. O. E | King, E. M. | Orr-Ewing, I. L. |
| Crowder, Capt. John E. | Lambert, Hon. G. | Osborne, C. |
| Darling, Sir W. Y. | Legge-Bourke, Maj. E. A. H. | Pickthorn, K. |
| Delargy, Captain H. J. | Lennox-Boyd, A. T. | Prescott, Stanley |
| Diamond, J. | Linstead, H. N. | Price, M. Philips |
| Donovan, T | Lloyd, Selwyn (Wirral) | Prior-Palmer, Brig. O |
| Drayson, G. B. | Lucas, Major Sir J. | Ramsay, Maj. S |
| Renton, D. | Stuart, Rt. Hon. J. (Moray) | Williams, Gerald (Tonbridge) |
| Roberts, W. (Cumberland, N.) | Thomas, J. P. L. (Hereford) | Willink, Rt. Hon. H. U. |
| Ropner, Col. L. | Thornton-Kemsley, C. N. | Willis, E |
| Salter, Rt. Hon. Sir J. A. | Vane, W. M. F. | York, C |
| Shephard, S. (Newark) | Watkins, T. E. | |
| Spence, H. R. | Wells, W. T. (Walsall) | TELLERS FOR THE AYES: |
| Stoddart-Scott, Col. M. | Wheatley, Colonel M. J. | Commander Agnew and |
| Strauss, H. G. (English Universities) | Williams, C. (Torquay) | Mr. Skeffington-Lodge. |
| NOES. | ||
| Adams, W. T. (Hammersmith, South) | Fletcher, E. G. M. (Islington, E.) | Royle, C |
| Anderson, A. (Motherwell) | Foot, M. M. | Shackleton, Wing-Cdr. E. A. A |
| Baxter, A. B. | Gallacher, W. | Silverman, J. (Erdington) |
| Bevan, Rt. Hon. A. (Ebbw Vale) | Gibson, C. W. | Silverman, S. S. (Nelson) |
| Bing, G. H. C. | Gilzean, A. | Simmons, C. J |
| Blackburn, A. R. | Haire, John E. (Wycombe) | Smith, C. (Colchester) |
| Bowles, F. G. (Nuneaton) | Hughes, Hector (Aberdeen, N.) | Smith, E. P. (Ashford) |
| Braddock, Mrs. E. M. (L'pl, Exch'ge) | Hutchinson, H. L. (Rusholme) | Snow, Capt. J. W. |
| Bramall, Major E. A. | Jeger, G. (Winchester) | Stewart, Capt. Michael (Fulham, E.) |
| Callaghan, James | Jones, D. T. (Hartlepools) | Swingler, S. |
| Challen, C. | Jones, P. Asterley (Hitchin) | Symonds, A. L. |
| Champion, A. J. | Keenan, W. | Taylor, H. B. (Mansfield) |
| Cobb, F. A. | Lewis, A. W. J. (Upton) | Thomas, Ivor (Keighley) |
| Comyns, Dr. L. | Lewis, J. (Bolton) | Thomas, George (Cardiff) |
| Cooper, Wing-Comdr G. | Lindgren, G. S. | Tiffany, S. |
| Corvedale, Viscount | Longden, F. | Timmons, J. |
| Crawley, A. | Mack, J. D. | Tolley, L. |
| Crossman, R. H. S. | Mackay, R. W G. (Hull. N.W.) | Usborne, Henry |
| Daggar, G. | McLeavy, F. | Warbey, W. N. |
| Dalton, Rt. Hon. H. | Neal, H. (Claycross) | Wigg, Col. G. E |
| Davies, Clement (Montgomery) | Perrins, W. | Wyatt, W. |
| Davies, Harold (Leek) | Piratin, p. | Zilliacus, K. |
| Davies, Haydn (St. Pancras, S.W) | Platts-Mills, J. F. F. | |
| Driberg, T. E. N. | Pritt, D. N. | TELLERS FOR THE NOES: |
| Dumpleton, C W | Randall, H. E. | Mrs. L[...] ah Mann[...] and |
| Fairhurst, F | Robertson, J. J. (Berwick) | Mr. Mitchison. |
Question put, and agreed to.
§
Resolved:
That, for the purposes of any Act of the present Session to provide, amongst other things, for the establishment of a British Transport Commission, it is expedient to authorise—
§ Resolution to be reported Tomorrow.