§ 32. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport if he will name the undertakings on which notices of acquisition have been served in accordance with Part III of the Transport Act, 1947; and the amount of compensation payable in each case.
§ Mr. BarnesSo far no notices of acquisition have been served under Part III of the Transport Act, 1947.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the Minister state whether any negotiations are going on at the present time with road haulage concerns for their acquisition; if so, will this House be informed of the terms of agreement, if reached; and will the Minister have to approve the terms of compensation or refer them to the Arbitration Tribunal?
§ Mr. BarnesCertain negotiations are proceeding with regard to the acquisition of property by agreement. I am not under the obligation to submit the terms in any particular deal to the House. They are generally governed by the procedure of compensation under the Bill. The Commission will no doubt take that into consideration.
§ Mr. MitchisonWill the right hon. Gentleman say what course ought to be adopted by small road hauliers who want to be acquired?
§ Mr. BarnesIt is up to the small road hauliers, as in the case of large hauliers, to approach the Commission if they would like to settle their fate by agreement.
§ Mr. DaviesWill the terms of agreement be submitted to the Arbitration Tribunal before they are accepted?
§ Mr. BarnesNo, Sir, certainly not. If the concerns are acquired by agreement, there is no need to avail ourselves of the services of the Arbitration Tribunal.