§ 13. Mr. Ernest Daviesasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what action he proposes to take in regard to the Road Haulage Disposal Board on the expiry of terms of office of its Chairman and members.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have invited the Chairman and members of the Board to serve for a further year.
§ Mr. DaviesWhy is the Minister reappointing this Board, in view of its poor record during the last 12 months? Is not the Minister aware that during this period it has been possible to dispose of vehicles only by offering them in very small units, and that, therefore, the original intention of the Act to maintain a structure of road haulage on a national basis is not being carried out?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe Board has done a very good job, and, indeed, one of the hon. Gentleman's hon. Friends put a Question to me the other day based on the effects of its success.
§ Mr. WoodburnWill the right hon. Gentleman not encourage the Board too much, because we want this organisation to be in existence when the Labour Government come back to power?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterThe right hon. Gentleman is wanting the organisation to be in existence, and, therefore, I hope that he is glad to see that I am preserving it.