HC Deb 29 June 1955 vol 543 cc381-2
17. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the number of transport units so far disposed of and the number of vehicles concerned under the Transport Act, 1953.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Fifteen thousand six hundred and sixty-eight vehicles have been sold, 15,266 in 5,410 units and 402 in three companies.

Mr. Davies

Do not these figures confirm once again that the average number of vehicles in each unit is very small and that sales can only continue if units are sold in very small lots? Do not the results, showing a complete failure to dispose of vehicles in large units, confirm that if sales continue there will be a break-up of the organisation of British Road Services through the dislocation of trunk services?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have already answered the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question on the several previous occasions he has put it. The second part is hypothetical.

Mr. Woodburn

In view of the fact that the situation has settled down, is the Minister not prepared to have an inquiry into the whole question and satisfy himself that on the ground of efficiency it will be much better to have an integrated service over the whole country and to keep that service intact?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I think that, for the moment, the right hon. Gentleman overlooks the fact that this matter was most closely and lengthily investigated by the House not long ago.

Mr. Davies

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a straight answer whether or not it is the fact that if he continues to sell these vehicles he can only sell by allowing them to go in ones, twos and threes, and that that results in a complete break-up of trunk services which "The Times" this morning said have been a great contribution by the British Transport Commission to the transport of the country?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The hon. Member cannot put a hypothetical question by describing a hypothesis as a fact.