HC Deb 03 May 1920 vol 128 cc1733-6W
Viscount CURZON

asked the Minister of Transport how many Committees have been set up by him; with what subjects they are dealing; what stage they have arrived at; when they may reasonably be expected to report; and whether their Reports will be available to Members?

Sir E. GEDDES

The Committees appointed by the Minister of Transport (not including committees or conferences of officials set up from time to time for departmental purposes) are as follow:—

(1) RATES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

This Committee was set up in October, 1919, in accordance with Section 21 of the Ministry of Transport Act for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to the Minister with respect to and for safeguarding any interests affected by any directions as to rates, fares, tolls, dues, and other charges or special services.

Reports from the Committee on Increased Charges for Demurrage, In- creased Goods Rates and Charges and on the charges to be made by the Thames Conservancy for services and accommodation provided by them, have already been presented to Parliament (Cmd. 526, 525, and 677, respectively).

The general inquiry into the detailed revision of rates has commenced and the first public sitting is to be held on 11th May.

(2) ROADS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

This Committee was set up in December, 1919, in accordance with Section 22 of the Ministry of Transport Act to advise the Minister and to safeguard any interests affected by the exercise of his powers and duties in connection with roads, bridges and vehicles and traffic thereon.

The Committee has met and has considered and approved the proposals of the Ministry of Transport for the classification of the roads of the country.

An Irish Sub-Committee of the Roads Advisory Committee was set up in January, 1920, to deal with similar questions relating to Ireland.

(3) RAILWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

This Committee was set up in January, 1920, to advise the Minister with regard to technical questions as to railway working. The nature of the Committee's work does not involve the issue of reports.

(4) LIGHT RAILWAYS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

This Committee was appointed in March, 1920, and will be called together under the chairmanship of the Minister of Transport or the Parliamentary Secretary as soon as sufficient matters of importance, either technical or financial, arise.

In the meantime the members of the Committee have been asked in conjunction with representatives of the Ministry of Transport, to undertake an investigation into the development of light railway operation and construction in the United Kingdom and future policy with regard thereto, including a detailed inquiry into Continental methods.

The inquiry is proceeding.

(5) ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON LONDON TRAFFIC.

This Committee was set up in November, 1919, to advise the Minister in regard to such matters concerning London traffic as come within his province.

The Committee appointed a Technical Committee which met sometimes as a whole and sometimes in the form of one of the following Sub-Committees, (1) Sub-Committee on Traffic Regulation, (2) Sub-Committee on Improvement of Street Facilities, (3) Sub-Committee on Future Development.

The Advisory Committee have put forward various suggestions for the improvement of traffic conditions which have been approved by the Minister and brought into force.

The Committee have presented their report which has been laid before Parliament (Command Paper 636).

(6) LIGHTS ON VEHICLES COMMITTEE.

This Committee was set up in November, 1919, to inquire and report on the codification and amendment of existing legislation and regulations with regard to lights on road vehicles, on the improvement of such lights and on other questions connected therewith.

The Committee has already presented two Interim Reports which have been laid before Parliament, Command Paper 659.

The Committee has practically covered its terms of reference with the exception of the question of dazzling head-lights.

(7) TAXATION AND REGULATION OF ROAD VEHICLES COMMITTEE.

This Committee was constituted in November, 1919, to deal with the taxation of, and regulations as to registration, design, identification, and speed limits of, road vehicles and with the effect of mechanically propelled traffic on roads.

The Committee has presented an interim Report on the taxation of mechanically propelled road vehicles, which has been laid before Parliament, Command Paper 660.

(8) CHANNEL FERRIES COMMITTEE.

This Committee was appointed in December, 1919, to investigate the commercial possibilities of the system of Channel Ferries.

A draft Report will shortly be laid before the Committee for its consideration.

(9) COMMITTEE ON DIRECTION POSTS AND ROAD SIGNS.

This Committee was set up in December, 1919, by the County Surveyors' Society at the request of the Minister of Transport, to report on the question of direction posts and road signs, and on the extent to which they can be standardised. The Committee has reported, and its Report is now being considered by the County Surveyors' Society, who will present their views on the Report to the Minister of Transport in due course.

(10) SLIPPERY ROAD SURFACES COMMITTEE.

This Committee was appointed in December, 1919, by the County Surveyors' Society, at the request of the Minister, to investigate the causes of the numerous complaints which have been received from horse owners and users as to the slippery condition of certain roads.

An interim report is now ready for submission.

(11) ELECTRIFICATION OF RAILWAYS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

The Committee was set up in March, 1920, to advise the Minister whether any, and, if so, what, regulations shall be made to secure that future electrification shall be carried out to the best advantage in regard to interchange of electric locomotives and rolling stock, uniformity of equipment, and other matters. Also whether sections already electrified shall be modified so that they may form part of a uniform system.

The Committee commenced its sittings on March 22nd. A large amount of data available in connection with the reference to the Committee has been collected and considered, the lines of procedure discussed and adopted, and certain other data required called for from the railway companies. This additional data is now coming in. The question of the publication of reports of these Committees must depend in each case on the nature of the case.