§ 126. Mr. Odeyasked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to transfer the issue of licences to private road hauliers from the Transport Commission, who are an interested party, to the control of an independent body.
§ Mr. BarnesCarriers' licences are issued by the independent licensing authorities appointed under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933. If it is permits the hon. Member has in mind, the Commission are authorised by the Transport Act to issue permits to carry long distance traffic which otherwise under the Act only they could carry. The exercise of this power is entirely discretionary and it would be incompatible with the objects of the Transport Act to transfer it to an outside body.
§ 127. Mr. Odeyasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that a number of sparsely-populated rural districts will be adversely affected by the enforcement of the 25 miles radius for private road hauliers, he will consider introducing legislation with a view to increasing the radius for the issue of licences from 25 miles to 60 miles.
§ Mr. BarnesNo. I do not agree that these districts will be adversely affected.