HC Deb 26 November 1958 vol 596 c51W
86. Mr. Partridge

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what steps he now proposes to take to deal with the problem of travel congestion in London.

Mr. Watkinson

The Crush Hour Committee has reported progress and has suggested that the problem of road traffic congestion should be considered at the same time as congestion on public transport. I have accepted this suggestion and I have decided to reconstitute the Committee and widen its terms of reference accordingly as I consider that we shall get quicker results by considering the problem as a whole. Mr. Alex Samuels has accepted my invitation to be Chairman of the new body, which will be called the "London Travel Committee". The terms of reference, which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT, will enable the Committee to attack the whole problem of congestion on the roads and on public transport services in and out of Central London during the rush hours. I am also circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the members who have agreed to serve on the Committee. I have asked the Committee to deal urgently with as many of the complex issues in front of it as it can, and to report to me whenever it feels that governmental action is necessary.