HC Deb 07 April 1952 vol 498 cc2276-7
37. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Transport the grounds on which he bases his decision that it would be improper for him to refer the matter of withdrawal of shift fares to the Central Consultative Committee.

Mr. Maclay

It is clearly the intention of the Transport Act that the main structure of the charges schemes should be a matter for the Transport Tribunal, and it would not be feasible for their decisions to be reviewed by the Consultative Committee.

In regard to the withdrawal of shift workers' tickets, the Commission's intentions and the principles involved were fully discussed in the proceedings before the Tribunal, and it is clear that when the Tribunal settled the scheme they contemplated the withdrawal of these tickets.

Mr. Beswick

As there is nothing in the decision of the Tribunal which gives a positive direction on this point, will the Minister, in view of that fact, be good enough to quote the provision in the Act which supports the contention which he makes that it is not competent for him to refer a matter of this kind to the Consultative Committee?

Mr. Maclay

As I have explained before, the principle that shift workers' tickets should be abolished was argued before the Tribunal, and was accepted, implicitly, in the Tribunal's findings.