HC Deb 04 May 1955 vol 540 c1682
41. Mr. Page

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he has taken, and what further steps he proposes to take, in pursuance of the recommendation of the Central Transport Consultative Committee for Great Britain in paragraph 5 of that Committee's Annual Report for 1954 to increase the awareness of the public at large of the facilities provided by the area committees.

The Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. John Boyd-Carpenter)

I shall continue to invite the attention of hon. Members and of organisations outside to the use which can be made of these committees. But the good work they do is itself the best method of securing greater public attention to them.

Mr. Renton

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, however much these consultative committees are used and however hard they try, they will always be a poor substitute for Parliamentary Questions and debate?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As my hon. and learned Friend knows, they largely cover a sphere upon which, on the whole. Parliamentary Questions are not admissible. As I believe my hon. and learned Friend knows, these committees do a very good job of work.