§ 42. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the difficulties caused to exporters as a result of delay in the delivery of essential goods by the nationalised transport industry; and if he will have a special study made of the problem.
§ Mr. SwinglerThe Government have already established the Economic Development Committee for the Movement of Exports to make proposals to speed the flow of export traffic. This will study all aspects of the problem and all sectors of the transport industry concerned with exports.
§ Mr. Wingfield DigbyIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware of a particularly bad case in which a sample export order to the United States Navy from my constituency was lost? Subsequently his right hon. Friend closed the station of despatch, which is hardly likely to speed the flow.
§ Mr. SwinglerI do not know the particular case to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I can tell him that if he submits any such cases to us, we guarantee to investigate them with whoever is the appropriate transport operator. We are extremely keen to take all possible action to speed the export traffic.
§ Mr. H. HyndDoes the Parliamentary Secretary accept the implication of this Question, that these delays are solely due to the nationalised transport industry?
§ Mr. SwinglerNo, Sir. My hon. Friend is quite correct. The Committee to which I referred is not solely concerned with the nationalised sector of transport, nor are all the complaints directed against the nationalised transport industry.