Mr. F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade if the New Transport Company has submitted to the Board of Trade a scheme for overcoming certain of the difficulties in connection with the regulation of London traffic; if this scheme has been examined and reported upon by the officers of the London Traffic Branch of the Board; and whether the attention of the Select Committee on London Traffic has been called to the matter?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe Board of Trade have received from the New Transport Company particulars of a scheme for a central goods clearing house, and I understand that the promoters claim that one result of their proposals would be to relieve congestion in the streets. Before effect could be given to the scheme statutory powers of an extensive character would have to be obtained by the promoters, and until the scheme takes the shape of a Bill seeking such powers it would be no part of the duty of the Traffic Branch to prepare a Report on it. I am not aware whether the scheme has been brought to the notice of the Select Committee on London Traffic.