3. Lieut.-Colonel Dowerasked the Minister of Transport, in view of the uncertainty prevailing amongst road hauliers in Cumberland as to whether their businesses are to be wholly or partly nationalised under the Transport Bill, whether steps will be taken to make known to them in simplified form the effects of the Bill if passed into law.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)As soon as the Bill was published copies were made available for inspection at the offices of the regional transport commissioners and district transport officers, and the staff of those offices were instructed to explain the provisions affecting them to road hauliers who inquired. I do not think that further steps are necessary at this stage.
Lieut.-Colonel DowerWhile appreciating what the Minister has said, may I ask if he is not aware that there is a great deal of confusion in the country amongst road hauliers whether they will be nationalised or not; that that is impeding progress, development and improvement; and when the Bill becomes an Act will he consider publishing it in simplified form, so that they will know if they are in it, and if they are not, be able to get on with the work?
§ Mr. BarnesI have no evidence that there is confusion—
§ Mr. Barnes—but I think it is known 1947 generally throughout the industry that these facilities are there, and many people have taken advantage of them. I will take the second part of the supplementary question into consideration later.