HC Deb 19 June 1968 vol 766 c1093
16. Mr. Campbell

asked the Minister of Transport what is now delaying the publication of the Survey of Transport from manufacturing establishments commissioned by his Department.

Mr. Swingler

It is expected that it will take some time for the full report to be printed, but a summarised version is being prepared for earlier publication and we hope this will appear in the late summer.

Mr. Campbell

As the unnecessary and idiotic restrictions on road transport, sometimes known as quantity licensing, proposed by the Government in the Transport Bill were supposed to be based on this information, why it is taking so long for the report to be made public?

Mr. Swingler

The hon. Gentleman has specialised in misleading himself. No such suggestion was ever made and we undertook the taking of the necessary decisions on the reform of the licensing system. Nevertheless, the information came from 720 manufacturing firms all over the country and will give us some information as to how successfully these proposals will work.