§ 13. Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent meetings he has had with representatives of motorists' organisations; and what was discussed.
§ Mr. AtkinsI have met the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club—and other road users' organisations—since the summer and have discussed matters of mutual interest with them. This afternoon I am going straight from here to meet the RAC again.
§ Mr. ButlerDid those organisations discuss with my hon. Friend the fact that motorists pay far more into the Exchequer than is spent on them by the Department of Transport? Will he bear that in mind before he develops any policy to increase taxation on motorists?
§ Mr. AtkinsI am sure that my hon. Friend, being a fair man, will be ready to applaud the substantially increased spending on public transport and roads among other things, within the Department of Transport budget and to recognise that as evidence of the Government's and the Department's commitment to the British driving public. There is, of course, always room for improvement and I shall be happy to try to oblige.