§ 14. Mr. Blytonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many part-time members there are for the Northern Transport Traffic Commissioners for the Northern Traffic Area; how many sittings have taken place; and how many times the part-time members have been requested to adjudicate in the previous twelve months.
§ Mr. NugentThere are two part-time Traffic Commissioners for the Northern Traffic Area and nine deputies who can be called upon to act in the absence of these Commissioners. In addition, there is a part-time Deputy-Chairman who acts in the absence of the whole-time Chairman.
There were 45 sittings in the past twelve months. At least one part-time Commissioner was present at each sitting; at seven of the sittings two part-time Commissioners took part. The services of three of the deputies were called upon. The Deputy-Chairman acted on two occasions.
§ Mr. BlytonCan the Minister give an assurance that there is no discrimination against the part-time members in the adjudications of the Commissioners?
§ Mr. NugentYes, certainly. The deputies are only exceptionally called in to act. As the hon. Member will notice, only three of them out of the nine were called in to act during the year. There is no discrimination whatever.