HC Deb 28 April 1970 vol 800 cc1030-1
10. Mr. Berry

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he now has for the winding up of the Transport Holding Company; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mulley

None, Sir.

Mr. Berry

Does the Minister agree that, since it was part of the 1968 Act that this company should come to an end and most of its important duties for passengers and freight have ended and it is now acting mainly as travel agents, it is time that these important people were freed from this responsibility instead of having to look after companies such as the Penarth Dock Company, whose profits have fallen from £48,000 to £3,000 in two years?

Mr. Mulley

I am delighted to be pressed by the hon. Member to carry out the provisions of the Transport Act, 1968, but he will recall that the Section dealing with the Transport Holding Company was permissive and it seems right to retain this arrangement for the supervision of Thomas Cook's, which is an important company in the travel world. as he has suggested.