HC Deb 19 May 1952 vol 501 cc9-10W
62. Mr. Sparks

asked the Minister of Transport the main factors upon which he bases his declaration in the White Paper on Transport Policy that the railways have become excessively centralised under the Transport Act, 1947.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The main grounds for the Government's conclusion that the administration of the railways has become excessively centralised under the Transport Act, 1947, are the extent of the functions vested in the Railway Executive by the scheme of delegation made by the British Transport Commission under Section 5 of that Act, and the distribution of functions between the Railway Executive and its Chief Regional Officers. I shall hope to deal with these matters in the forthcoming debate.