3. Mr. G. Wilsonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will introduce legislation to amend Section 1 of the Transport Act, 1947, by altering the title of the British Transport Commission to the Royal Transport Service, and of the regions to companies of that service.
§ Mr. WatkinsonNo, Sir. The existing title seems to me accurate and appropriate.
Mr. WilsonDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate the psychological value, both to the public and to the staff, of using such words as the "Great Western Railway Company," and does he not appreciate that there are many precedents for using ancient titles in contexts different from those in which they were formerly used, such as coroner or sheriff, or in the Army, the Rifle Brigade or the Grenadier Guards, which have no connection these days with either rifles or grenades? Would it not be a good thing to have a Great Western Railway in no way connected with the shareholders?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am sure that there are many precedents, but the one which I propose to follow is to try, with the British Transport Commission, to make a success of what is the country's largest employer.