HC Deb 14 July 1954 vol 530 cc469-70
44. Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the main reasons for the fact that £2 million is still owing to hauliers as compensation for nationalisation; and when he expects it will be paid.

Mr. Molson

The amounts payable have yet to be agreed between the British Transport Commission and the transferors, or to be determined or confirmed by the Transport Arbitration Tribunal, as required by the Transport Act, 1947. I cannot say when the last payment will be made, but it will be as soon as the requirements of the Act have been fulfilled.

Mr. Grimond

In view of the fact that many of these hauliers may want to buy their assets back, is this not a most unfortunate situation? If the Government cannot make a rapid payment of this money, cannot they devise some way of allowing these men credit with which they might be able to buy back the lorries which were originally theirs?

Mr. Molson

I am afraid that there is no power under present legislation which enables my right hon. Friend to do that.

46. Mr. Grimond

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if his regulations permit a haulier, anxious to buy back assets previously nationalised, to offer in payment his outstanding rights to compensation for nationalisation.

Mr. Molson

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has no power to make such regulations.

Mr. Grimond

Could the Minister give any idea how many of these men are willing to buy back their assets and are being prevented from doing so by the fact that the Government have not paid them?

Mr. Molson

No, Sir. I am afraid that it would be impossible to obtain that figure.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Is not all the evidence so far to the effect that those persons who were bought out do not wish to buy themselves back into the industry? Have not the sales been so small that they show that these men have decided not to return?

Mr. Molson

Quite a considerable number have succeeded in buying themselves back.

Mr. Renton

Following the point made by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Grimond), is it not possible under the present law to allow a simple set-off of the one transaction against the other?

Mr. Molson

No, Sir, I fear not. Under the 1947 Act a special procedure is provided. Those who had their property nationalised had to accept transport stock in lieu. In the case of the purchase of lorries under the 1953 Act, no provision is made for any set-off or for anything except cash payments.

Mr. Callaghan

Have not most of the people concerned here received substantial payments on account? Is not the matter in dispute what are frequently regarded as the extravagant claims to be met and whether they could be reduced?

Mr. Molson

I certainly could not accept the hon. Gentleman's suggestion. It is quite impossible to generalise about the large number of claims which are outstanding.

Mr. Callaghan

Have they not had payment on account?