§ Sir Richard Nugentasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on any change proposed in the organisation of the British Transport Commission for the period before the Transport Bill comes into force.
§ Mr. MarplesMy hon. Friend has no doubt in mind the announcement yesterday of the B.T.C.'s decision to set up a British Railways Committee to exercise on their behalf their powers of supervision and control over British Railways. The Commission have set up this body under their existing powers, but I was consulted about their intention. I said that I saw no objection providing that the Commission made it clear (as they have) that (a) the Committee was subject to the over-riding authority, under the Transport Acts, of the Commission; and (b) appointments to the Committee in no way implied that the individuals concerned would be appointed to the British Railways Board which it is proposed to set up under the Transport Bill now before Parliament.