HC Deb 17 November 1954 vol 533 c382
38. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to amend the operative date of the cancellation of the 25-mile provision under Section 8 of the Transport Act. 1953, in view of the fact that it was the intention that all the British Road Services vehicles should have been disposed of before the cancellation became effective.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

No, Sir.

Mr. Callaghan

As that answer means that we shall have private and public vehicles running on the roads after 1st January in competition—as the Government did not foresee that situation—why not take advantage of it and let us see if private enterprise can stand up to public competition in this field?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I think that the advance of freedom which will take place on 1st January will help to assist the competition which I was glad to hear the hon. Gentleman welcome.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Since the Minister does not propose to change the law in this respect, will he finally end disposals taking place which subordinate the national interest to a party policy which has been thoroughly discredited?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Of course the answer to that is, "No." The hon. Gentleman must not assume that the national interest is always entirely coincident with his own political views, and never with ours.