§ 40. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he has yet received the report for the first six months of the Road Haulage Disposal Board; and when he expects to make it available to hon. Members.
§ Mr. MolsonMy right hon. Friend has not yet received this report. When he does he will lay a copy before each House as required by Section 2 (9) of the Transport Act, 1953.
§ Mr. DaviesWhy has the report been delayed in view of the fact that during the period no invitation was issued for tenders for the purchase of vehicles? In view of the statement issued yesterday concerning tenders, is it not clear that the vehicles will not be sold this year, which was the hope originally expressed by the Minister, or next year, and perhaps many of them never?
§ Mr. MolsonNo, Sir, none of those things is at present obvious. There has inevitably been delay in holding the first auction. As the hon. Gentleman knows, the auction was advertised in the newspapers yesterday. We have no reason to suppose that the report will not be presented to the House within the very near future.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWill my hon. Friend accept the congratulations of this side of the House upon the expedition with which the sales of these units are now being organised?