HC Deb 07 November 1949 vol 469 cc883-4
43. Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

asked the Minister of Transport why, by the Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) Regulations, 1949, Statutory Instrument, 1949, No. 1618, he has discontinued the provision permitting members of His Majesty's Forces to be given lifts in vehicles used under limited trade licences.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. James Callaghan)

These regulations replace in one code 13 sets of regulations made between 1941 and 1947. When they were being made the opportunity was taken to omit words relating to certain temporary war-time concessions, which were no longer considered to be necessary, and which had, in fact, probably already ceased to be effective.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say why this particular concession should be deemed to be unnecessary at a time when hundreds of thousands of National Service men are serving at some distance from their homes, and is he aware that this concession has proved of the greatest practical advantage in enabling men to take advantage of short leave at home?

Mr. Callaghan

That is not my information. These trade plates are very restricted. The numbers of people using them in circumstances in which Service men could take advantage of them are very small.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In that case, why withdraw the concession?

Mr. Callaghan

Because it was no longer considered to be necessary.