HC Deb 20 January 1954 vol 522 cc1000-1
36. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now make a statement on the Government's intentions in regard to the recommendations contained in the The siger Report

31. Mr. R. Robinson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the effect on Blackpool and other seaside resorts of the recent interpretation of what constitutes a special occasion for the purposes of Section 61 of the Road Traffic Act, 1933; when he anticipates that the Report of the Thesiger Committee on this and allied matters will be available; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing some emergency legislation to deal with the position which will arise in connection with the hire of motor coaches to take parties from outlying rural districts into provincial centres for such special occasions

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am afraid the answer is rather long, and I will therefore, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Davies

Can the Minister at least tell the House whether he has accepted the implication in the Thesiger Report that there shall be no interference with the road passenger services of the British Transport Commission, as the right hon. Gentleman said he would await the Report before deciding whether he would denationalise the road passenger services of the British Transport Commission?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. Gentleman will find a clue to my ideas if he waits for the answer.

Mr. Davies

Cannot he tell the House now?

Following is the answer: I am indebted to the Thesiger Committee for their comprehensive and lucid report. I accept their view as to the value of the present licensing system and their statement that "what we consider should be left untouched is quite as important as are the comparatively few changes that we propose." I agree with the majority of their proposals for the detailed improvement of the licensing system and, subject to any further representations that I may receive, I propose to give effect to them as opportunity offers. As regards the conveyance of private parties on special occasions the Committee have clearly shown the difficulties of the present position and recommend a new form of contract carriage licence. Without a good deal of further consideration, I would be reluctant to introduce a procedure which will impose a control on contract carriage work and will inevitably cause much extra work both for operators and for the licensing authorities. I propose, therefore, to examine further with the interests concerned whether a simpler and equally satisfactory solution could not be found by delimiting anew the occasions on which a private party can be carried at separate fares without the need for a road service licence. Another important problem dealt with in the Report is the effect on the licensing system of the control by the British Transport Commission of undertakings providing road passenger services in the provinces. I do not dissent from the Committee's general conclusions on this question so far as they go; but, as the Committee recognise, there are other factors outside their purview to be taken into account and I am not yet prepared to make any further statement on the matter.
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