Miss Wardasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport on what date the motor vehicle makers made their first approach to him to alter the construction order for the purposes of the export trade; and what authorities and interests he consulted were opposed to the suggested alteration.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerAs I informed the House in a Debate on the Adjournment on 21st December last, the associations representing the manufacturers and operators of public passenger vehicles made their first proposals for the increase in the permitted weights and dimensions of these vehicles on 5th November, 1943. On 19th April, 1944, they sent in a memorandum explaining in detail the reasons for their proposals. My Noble Friend followed the usual practice of consulting the other Government Departments, and the numerous associations representative of highway authorities, the police, and road users, together with the trade unions of workers who are employed in road transport. As I explained to the House, the weight of the advice which my Noble Friend received was against any increase in the permitted length or width of public passenger service vehicles.