HC Deb 27 October 1965 vol 718 cc157-8
52. Mr. Mapp

asked the Minister of Transport if he will now publish the recent report of Lord Hinton on transport problems.

Mr. Swingler

No, Sir. As was explained to my right hon. Friend the Member for Derby, South on 16th June, any report arising from Lord Hinton's studies will be made in the form of a statement by my right hon. Friend to Parliament.

Mr. Mapp

Why cannot we have the report in question? Although many of us may be quite unconcerned about the conclusions, at least students of transport should have the facts which may be contained in that report. Would he consider publishing an abridged version of the report, so that all the facts adduced in it may be made available?

Mr. Swingler

The answer to my hon. Friend is that my right hon. Friend appointed Lord Hinton as a temporary adviser on transport co-ordination for a limited period. Lord Hinton was therefore operating as a civil servant and, therefore—as is normal in such cases—his advice is confidential to my right hon. Friend. My right hon. Friend will be making a statement as a result of the work of Lord Hinton in the near future.

Sir M. Redmayne

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether in fact there was any report at all? Will he accept it from me that the earlier the statement is made the better we shall be pleased?

Mr. Swingler

As is well known, Lord Hinton completed a number of studies. It is quite inaccurate to refer to the report as if there were a single report. He completed a number of studies on the basis of instructions given to him by my right hon. Friend. On the basis of the assessment of these studies, my right hon. Friend will be making a statement on transport co-ordination in the near future.

Mr. Speaker

Order. May I congratulate the House on improving its record of Questions completed at Question Time?

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