HC Deb 21 December 1960 vol 632 cc1301-3
49. Mr. Strauss

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to introduce legislation to carry out the administrative and financial proposals arising from Her Majesty's Government's consideration of the Stedeford Report.

Mr. Marples

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to paragraph 61 of the White Paper "Reorganisation of the Nationalised Transport Undertakings" which I presented to Parliament yesterday.

Mr. Strauss

May we assume that the financial provisions contained in the White Paper will be dealt with in the Finance Bill this Session? Is it not a fact that If the proposals are not put into operation this Session, it will mean a two-year delay before the structural change comes into operation? Does not the Minister realise that frequent change in the structure of the transport industry is, in itself, exceedingly harmful, but to have such fundamental reorganisation as that set out in the White Paper—which is both imprecise and highly controversial—kept in suspense for two years is bound to create confusion and uncertainty among those running the industry, and does create damage?

Mr. Marples

Well, I was told that there was uncertainty before the White Paper was produced, and that there would be uncertainty and confusion until it was produced. Now I am told there is uncertainty and confusion because it has been published. It is all most confusing. The real point is that the White Paper has been produced. It sets out some quite radical changes, I agree, and legislation will be required for a lot of them—those relating to statutory restrictions and so on—but quite a bit of the reorganisation can be carried out by the Commission under its present statutory duties. I must tell the right hon. Gentleman that Questions about the Finance Bill are more properly addressed to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Mr. Strauss

But does not the Minister really know whether the major part of the proposals of this White Paper is to be carried out this year—or is that, too, to be left for two years? Are not the financial provisions to be in the Finance Bill? Further, can the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my Question: does he not really think—is it not obvious—that to keep the organisational change in suspense for two years before it can be put into operation—which will happen—is bound to cause a great deal of damage to the transport industry?

Mr. Marples

Those items that require alteration in the law have to go through the usual processes that Parliament normally adopts. Very complicated, complex and comprehensive legislation will be wanted in some cases, but quite a good deal of the reorganisation can be carried out by the British Transport Commission under its statutory duties. I have tried to explain to the right hon. Gentleman that there may not be delay in a lot of the measures we can introduce.

Mr. Jay

Surely, the Minister can tell us whether the financial reorganisation requires legislation and, if it does, how and when we shall get it?

Mr. Marples

I think that that point is better addressed to my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who will be in charge of those provisions.

Mr. Jay

But the Minister represents the Government in this matter. Does he know what is the position in regard to financial reorganisation? If he does, why does he not tell us?

Mr. Marples

I am afraid that the right hon. Gentleman will have to put that question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, because my right hon. and learned Friend is now considering the precise way of implementing the White Paper.

At end of Questions—