§ 35 and 36. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport (1) if he will make a statement in regard to the appointment of a chairman, deputy chairman and two full-time members to the British Transport Commission, in view of the fact that the terms of appointment of the present incumbents expire on 31st August, 1952;
(2) if he will make a statement in regard to the appointment of chairmen to the London Transport Executive, the Road Haulage Executive, the Road Passenger Executive, the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive and the Hotels Executive since the terms of appointment of the present incumbents expire on 30th September, 1952; and his intentions in regard to those full-time members whose term expire on the same date.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAfter discussion with the Commission, I am offering to all those full-time members mentioned in the Questions, and also to the members of the Railway Executive, the continuance of their services for a further year, although they will not necessarily in every case retain their existing appointments.
This offer does not apply to the members of the Road Passenger Executive, which will cease to exist after 30th September of this year. I have seen the members of this Executive, and explained the position to them.
§ Mr. DaviesIs the Minister correct in making the assumption that the terms of the Bill will be carried into effect; and, secondly, will the members of the Road Passenger Executive receive any compensation for the termination of their offices at such short notice?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIt is in no sense short notice to the members of the Road Passenger Executive, because my predecessor in the Labour Government told them that they were not to be continued in office. In reply to the first part of the Question, I have powers to add to or diminish the number of the Executive without any regard to the forthcoming Bill.
§ Mr. NabarroWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the elimination of bureaucratic control is the surest means of restoring efficiency in transport?