Mr. DOYLEasked the Minister of Transport what action, if any, is being taken by his Department to organise a system of road transport of goods and passengers, or whether it is intended to leave the matter to private enterprise; if the latter, what progress has been made in selling the motor lorries at Slough and elsewhere; and if he is in favour of selling such lorries on the instalment system, so that demobilised Service men and others with small capital may be able to build up businesses for themselves?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe Ministry of Transport has not taken steps to organise State systems of road transport services, and it is thought that the provision of such services is wherever possible a matter for private enterprise. The arrangement under which Government-owned lorries are working at certain ports to relieve congestion is a temporary measure. As regards the second part of the question, the sale of surplus Government motor vehicles is a matter for the Disposal Board of the Ministry of Munitions.