HC Deb 18 May 1953 vol 515 cc1688-9
35. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Transport if he will disqualify for membership of the Road Haulage Disposals Board persons interested, financially or otherwise, in acquiring the road vehicles to be disposed of.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The matter is adequately dealt with in Section 2 (7) of the Transport Act, 1953.

Mr. Sparks

Does the Minister mean that it would not be in order for a person to sit on the Board and make arrangements for the parcelling of transport for subsequent sale either to himself or to those with whom he has any interest?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The Act clearly lays down the duties of any member of the Board if, possibly, a transaction in which he may be interested should come before the Board; and I think it is completely watertight.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the section of the Act to which he has referred speaks of their being "indirectly interested"? Would he consider that a person was indirectly interested and, therefore, disqualified from serving on the Board if that person was on the board of a finance company which was proposing to finance purchases of Road Haulage vehicles?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It would be very unwise for me to answer a hypothetical question of that kind.

39. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now announce the names of the persons he has appointed to the Road Haulage Disposal Board, indicating those nominated by the respective bodies he consulted, their interests, direct or indirect, in the transport industry and the remuneration they are to receive by way of salaries, fees, allowances and expenses.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am sorry that I cannot add today to the answer which I gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan) on Thursday last.

Mr. Davies

Can the Minister tell us when he will make a statement? Will he do it before the Recess and not wait until we are in Recess so that we cannot raise Questions in the House?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

If the hon. Gentleman cares to put down a Question on Wednesday or Thursday, I should very much hope to be able to give him a definite answer.