HC Deb 22 July 1959 vol 609 cc1263-4
39. Commander Maitland

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he has considered a letter from the Clerk to the Horncastle Rural District Council reporting a conference on rural transport at which sixteen local authorities including the county council were represented and many other local organisations; what were the recommendations contained in it; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Watkinson

Yes, Sir. The letter made various detailed suggestions for the improvement of rural transport and asked me to bring them to the attention of the Committee on rural bus services. This I readily agreed to do.

Commander Maitland

Does not the unanimity of this very large number of local authorities show the importance attached by people who live in the country to the improvement of rural transport? Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the Government really will make an effort to help in this matter?

Mr. Watkinson

I agree with my hon. and gallant Friend. I hope we shall soon be able to announce the date when this important Committee on rural transport will start work. It certainly has a most important job to do, and I hope that it will do it very quickly.