HC Deb 02 July 1951 vol 489 cc1884-5
30. Mr. Donnelly

asked the Minister of Transport how many times he has met the Transport Commission since it was set up; and whether he has made arrangements for meeting it at regular intervals.

Mr. Barnes

I have no precise account of the many times I have met the Transport Commission or its members, but I do so whenever I judge it necessary. I do not meet them at regular intervals.

Mr. Donnelly

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is considerable support on this side of the House for his taking more energetic ministerial action to create greater decentralisation in this matter? Will he also bear in mind that there is great support on this side of the House for seeing that the people who have mismanaged this industry in the past should not continue to do so, thus sabotaging the will of the people?

Mr. Barnes

My hon. Friend must not assume that the process of decentralisation is not going on; it is, and very considerably.

Mr. Donnelly

Would my right hon. Friend look into any specific examples of greater centralisation which has taken place recently?