HC Deb 21 November 1956 vol 560 cc1736-7
39. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects to receive the report of the committee appointed to inquire into the staggering of working hours to relieve traffic congestion.

Mr. Watkinson

The appointment of the committee has been delayed, because I wanted to give it the widest possible scope. I hope to announce its composition very shortly. As the hon Member will have gathered from my statement on 25th July, the functions of the new committee will be of a continuing nature, although they will report progress to me from time to time.

Mr. Davies

In the meantime, and without waiting for this committee to be appointed, then to meet and to publish its report, will the Minister take action? Does he appreciate that, in view of petrol rationing, public transport will have a far greater load, and that transport conditions at peak hours are bound to deteriorate? Will he take steps on his own to see whether some extension of the staggering of hours of work cannot be embarked upon at once?

Mr. Watkinson

I am very glad that the hon. Member has raised that point. It is absolutely necessary, if we are to have tolerable conditions when rationing is introduced, that all people who can should spread their travelling times as much as they possibly can. I would just correct one point; this committee's first duty will not be to prepare some long-dated report, but to advise me on that particular problem at once.