§ 47. Sir W. Wakefieldasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the technical considerations that are preventing him from permitting the building of two-axle double-decker omnibuses to the same limits as those permitted for single-decker omnibuses for use in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterA total length of 30 ft. was allowed to two-axle single-decked public service vehicles to assist standardisation in the interests of exports, notwithstanding objections from the traffic aspect. An increase to 30 ft. for double-deckers would give little assistance in the export market and, as double-deckers are used mainly in town work, a higher degree of manoeuvrability is more important.
§ Sir W. WakefieldDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that the industry considers this to be an unnecessary restriction? Will he pursue the policy of Her Majesty's Government by continuing in this instance to remove unnecessary controls and restrictions, which has been found to be so successful in recent years?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn this case there is a clash between the interests of the manufacturers, which I fully understand, and the need to limit congestion in the streets. In the case of vehicles mainly used in big towns one has to be very careful, in present circumstances, about increasing their length, and, therefore, their turning circles.