Lord Hinton (Hansard, 28 October 1965)

§ 43. Sir M. Redmayne
asked the Minister of Transport under what circumstances Lord Hinton resigned his post as Special Adviser on Transport Planning.

§ Mr. Swingler
Lord Hinton left the Ministry when he had completed the work my right hon. Friend had asked him to undertake.

§ Sir M. Redmayne
The Minister should realise that the reception of that Answer proves how doubtfully we regard it. Is it not a fact that Lord Hinton's report was thoroughly unsatisfactory to the Government? Is it not time that the Minister made a statement in the House about where the Government stand?

§ Mr. Swingler
If the Answer is received with any doubt, it is only because hon. Members have not been following what has been going on. When my right hon. Friend announced the appointment of Lord Hinton, he announced that he would be appointed as a temporary civil servant for a limited period. That was what was said at the very beginning. That is what has happened. Lord Hinton has completed his studies and my right hon. Friend will make a statement shortly.

§ 44. Sir M. Redmayne
asked the Minister of Transport what report on the integration of transport was submitted by Lord Hinton before his resignation; and what is the Government's policy towards it.

§ Mr. Swingler
My right hon. Friend has received a number of reports from Lord Hinton, which are being taken into account in the development of policies for the co-ordination of transport.

§ Sir M. Redmayne
That is a lot better. We are getting nearer the truth. I must press the Minister and reaffirm that we want an early statement. May I ask him a related question? We are given to understand that Lord Hinton will still serve on the Transport Advisory Council. This has been announced in public. How can Lord Hinton do that in his present employment?

§ Mr. Swingler
Lord Hinton remains a member of the Transport Advisory Council. Like other members of the Transport Advisory Council, he has other occupations and he will be attending from time to time. He has completed the full-time study for which he was appointed as originally announced and, as has been repeated by my right hon. Friend in the House half a dozen times to the right hon. Gentleman, a statement will be made shortly.

§ Sir R. Thompson
Surely this is most unsatisfactory? Does not the Parliamentary Secretary realise that the House 347 was promised a statement founded on what Lord Hinton had to say about the integration of transport? As the Government have sacked Lord Beeching and are now disowning Lord Hinton, where has the problem of the integration of transport now got to?

§ Mr. Swingler
There are some limits to the inaccurate and untrue statements which can be made. The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that the Government did not sack Lord Beeching. Lord Beeching asked to be relieved of his duties—

Hon. Members
Oh.

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. We are getting a little wide of the Question.

§ Mr. Swingler
My right hon. Friend has promised a statement, and he will make a statement. That statement will come very soon.