§ Mr. Hannahasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport whether he will give an undertaking that small contractors who cannot be given a definite place in the new road haulage scheme will be bought out and not simply squeezed out?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAs my hon. Friend is, no doubt, aware, my Noble Fried has invited a number of hauliers to make their businesses controlled undertakings in the road haulage organisation which he is setting up. Other hauliers, who are not so invited, will be given the opportunity of hiring their vehicles to the Ministry, provided the vehicles are in reasonably good condition, and provided they have been continuously engaged, during the 12 months before the announcement of the scheme, in carrying, wholly or mainly, the classes of traffic which my Noble Friend proposes to control. My hon. Friend will see, therefore, that the small contractor, if he so desires, can have a definite place in the new organisation which is being set up.