HC Deb 18 November 1953 vol 520 cc1720-2
41. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the latest available figures of the number of C licences current and the number of operators relative thereto: and what increase this represents over the figure at 31st October, 1951, or for the nearest date for which figures are available.

Mr. Molson

At 31st October, 1953, "C" Carriers' licences covering 430,756 operators and 861,953 vehicles were in force. This represents an increase of 30,618 operators and 74,546 vehicles over the figures at 31st October, 1951.

Mr. Davies

Since the number of C licences continues to increase despite the Government's transport policy, will the Government now argue that the increase is due to their denationalisation policy in the same way as they formerly argued that the increase was due to the nationalisation policy of the Labour Government?

Mr. Molson

The hon. Gentleman is not fully aware of the figures relating to the matter. It was in October, 1951, that denationalisation of road transport became a practical political issue.

Mr. Callaghan

It is not that yet.

Mr. Molson

The rate of increase of C licences in 1950–51 was 8 per cent. It fell to 5 per cent. in 1952. The increase for the first 10 months of 1953 is only 3 per cent., which represents an annual rate of rather less than 4 per cent. The figures point to exactly the opposite conclusion to that which the hon. Gentleman has drawn.

Mr. Davies

Is it not a fact, first, that C licences have continued to increase, and, secondly, that the percentage increase was already declining steadily under nationalisation, with the number of new C licences taken out being less month by month as the success of British Road Services was appreciated.

Mr. Molson

I have already pointed out that the rate at which C licences are now increasing is declining rapidly.

Sir H. Williams

On a point of order. We have only reached Question No. 41, and the reason is the interminable length of many supplementaries. I wonder whether it would be possible, Mr. Speaker, to have a class of instruction in a Grand Committee Room in order to teach Members how to ask snappy questions?

Mr. Speaker

We should have reached an even lower figure on Questions if I had taken all the supplementary questions which hon. Members desired to ask. I hope that hon. Members will try to keep their supplementary questions short and to the point.

Mr. John MacLeod

Can it be noted that Scottish Questions are not on the Order Paper today?

Mr. Speaker

There were some Scottish Questions on transport matters, and they have taken their normal time.