HC Deb 02 April 1958 vol 585 c1191
2. Miss Burton

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to make a statement concerning the operation of car delivery vehicles under general trade licences, when carriers' A or B licences are not required; and what steps he now proposes to take to deal with this anomaly.

Mr. Watkinson

I am still examining possible means of removing the anomaly, and I will let the hon. Lady know the result as soon as possible.

Miss Burton

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the detailed, courteous and, I think, meant-to-be-helpful reply that I received this morning, might I ask if he is aware that it is really unsatisfactory? What is the use of stating in that reply that he regards the operation of car transporters under trade licences as an abuse of the purpose for which the licences were designed if we cannot do anything about it? As I first raised this matter with him on 29th January, does he not really think that we might have an Amendment to the Finance Bill this year?

Mr. Watkinson

I think that when I first answered the hon. Lady's Question she was surprised that I was to do anything at all. I am now surprised that she is so impatient, because in the letter to which she refers I say that one needs to give thought to this; otherwise, in removing one anomaly we may be creating another.

Mr. Ernest Davies

Is it not the fact that these car delivery vehicles carry new cars on the basis of hire and reward in the same way as is done on A and B licences? That being so, surely it would not be so difficult to introduce an Amendment to the Finance Bill. After all, there is still some time yet before that Bill will be presented to the House. Will the right hon. Gentleman urge his Department to bring this anomaly to an end?

Mr. Watkinson

The hon. Gentleman will not expect me to comment on the Finance Bill.