§ 20. Mr. Peter Thorneycroftasked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet received the report of the Transport Commission for 1949; and when it is proposed to publish it.
§ 24. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet received the report of the British Transport Commission for 1949; and when it will be published.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Barnes)I expect the report and statement of accounts of the British Transport Commission for 1949 to be published towards the end of this week.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftDoes the right hon. Gentleman appreciate how very inconvenient it is to hon. Members if they have to wait until very nearly 1951 before getting the report of the Commission for 1949? Will he convey to the Commission our displeasure in the matter and urge them to do their job properly next year?
§ Mr. BarnesI think that when I dealt with the question before the House rose in July I indicated that it is always desirable to get these accounts out as quickly as possible. They are enormous accounts and there have been one or two delays, as I said then, but they will be published towards the end of this week. I am not aware that that will cause the House any inconvenience.
§ Mr. RentonIs the Minister aware that it is over two months since he told us that the report was almost complete and that printing was well in hand? Bearing in mind that it will be almost out of date by the time hon. Members receive it, will he please administer to the Transport Commission an expression of his displeasure and that of the House?
§ Mr. BarnesThe hon. Member could not have read the reply I gave him in July, because I said then that I would publish the report in September.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanIn view of the long delay and the vastness of the accounts, to which the Minister referred, is this not proof of the undesirability of creating the colossal monopolies that Members on the other side are so fond of condemning?