31. Mr. De la Béreasked the Minister of War Transport whether, before the introduction of legislation to nationalise the road haulage undertakings throughout the country, he will now consider holding a public inquiry for ascertaining whether it is in the public interest to introduce this legislation.
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir. The Government had already announced their intention to bring long distance road haulage services under national ownership, and I see no reason for holding a public inquiry.
Mr. De la BéreIs the Minister aware that this will cause untold hardship to the small hauliers throughout the country, and does he really think there is any justification for this proposed legalised con fiscation of the results of their many year of hard work and toil by which they have built up this industry?
§ Mr. BarnesThat appears to me to he anticipating legislation.