Road Transport Activities
Page 47
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
IN PARLIAMENT
By Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent
Traffic Act No Repeal.
AS the outcome of dissatisfaction with the operation of the licensing systein under the Road Traffic Act, a number of Members of Parliament has suggested the repeal or revision of the statute. Upon the matter being raised by Sir Nicholas Grattan-Doyle, Mr. Pybus made the following statement :— "The main provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, -are based on the unanimous recommendations of the Royal Commission on Transport, and the Bill, after the most exhaustive examination in Committee, was passed with the general approval of all parties in the House. In the operation of a complicated measure such as this, experience must inevitably suggest certain points for review, and I have always expressed my willingness to consider representations from parties or interests affected by the administration of the Act, several of which. are now under my earnest consideration."
Mr. PylmS added that, whilst the operation of the Act was constantly under review, the Government did not intend to repeal it. A few days ago he had issued some general instructions to Traffic Commissioners, directing them to take into special consideration the small operator and the interests of the travelling public in rural areas.
Investigating Hardship Cases.
LAST Tuesday Mr. Pybus -received Members of Parliament representing constituencies in the north of England, and discussed with them the complaints of alleged hardship, especially to smaller undertakings, arising out of the decisions of the Traffic Commissioners. It was suggested that the lane)! concerns received more favourable treatment, and that passengers in rural districts had been inconvenienced
by the limitation of services. • Mr. Pybus indicated that eases of hardship would be investigated by the Department. Meanwhile, the operation of the Road Traffic Act was being watched with a view to deciding whether amendment of the statute was
necessary.
Insurance Premiums Increased?
T ORD APSLEY asked the Minister
of Transport if he was aware of the high premiums charged by insurance companies for the insurance of motor vehicles and the high rate of depreciation, without a corresponding reduction of premium, which they charged in cases of payment of claims in the event of total destruction of the vehicle.
He also inquired whether, in view of the profits that insurance companies were making since the passing of the Road Traffic Act, owing to third-party insurance being made compulsory, the Minister was prepared to take any action in amending the Act, so as to secure easier insurance facilities for motor users.
Mr. Pybus was not aware that there had been any general increase in motor insurance premiums since the passing of tho Road Traffic Act. The Act dealt only with insurance against claims in respect of injuries to third parties, and obviously this element in an insurance policy could have no relation to the total destruction of a vehicle or to any claim based thereon.
Insurance Monopoly.
LORD APSLEY maintained that the Act had given what was virtually a monopoly of the compulsory insurance to all these companies, and that in regard to other insurance policies respecting damage of vehicles, they did not care what policy they gave. Mr. Pybus said he would be glad to have the evidence upon which Lord Apsley's remarks were based.
Plea for Special Court of Appeal.
A, FREQUENT comment is that the 1-1 Minister of Transport, being the only court of appeal against decisions by the Traffic Commissioners, is adjudicating in his own case and that a separate court should be set up.
Mr. Pybus's contention is that the Minister and the Traffic Commissioners arc separate and independent tribunals. The permanent Commissioner is, he• states, appointed by the Minister of Transport, and two others from panels appointed by the local authorities. He cannot hear the cases until they come up on appeal, and then he decides in the light-of the evidence before him.
Road Expenditure Reduced.
IN further reference to the discontinuance of road and bridge schemes., Mr. Pybus states that it is not merely schemes which have been expedited for the relief of unemployment that are now being reviewed, but all schemes.
He has endeavoured in all caser to proceed in consultation with the local
authorities, and whilst Ms survey of the position is still incomplete, he has, up to the present, arranged for a reduction in the commitments of the Road Fund, over the next few years, in respect of a total of about £15,750,000.
Humber Bridge Bill.
THE promoters of the Humber Bridge Bill have informed the Minister of Transport that they do not propose to ask the House of Commons to take the Bill before Easter. It is their intention to give adequate notice to those opposing the measure.
-Ex-Service Coach Owners.
A TTENTION was called to the mun.tiber of ex-Service men who had invested their money in small motor coach undertakings who were being deprived of a livelihood by the refusal of Traffic Commissioners to grant them licences.
Mr. Pybus said he had every reason to believe that the claims of the small operator were sympathetically considered by the Traffic Commissioners, and it would not be proper for him to direct the Commisstorters to discriminate between different classes.
Committee on Road Signs.
AirR. PYBITS said last Wednesday _111 that he had now appointed a Departmental Committee, •under the chairmanship of Sir Henry Maybury, with the following terms of reference :—" To consider the existing system of ' traffic signs as defined in Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and to make recommendations as to the exercise by the Minister of Transport of his powers under that section." The committee has been appointed with the following membership :— Sir Henry Maybury, G.B.E., K.C.M.G., C.B. J.P. (chairman), and Mr. J. S. 1'. GodselI, 0.B.E., of Ministry of Transport; Moser,. F. C. Johnson, Home Office; F. 0. Stewart, Scottish Office; B. ATripp, Commissioner of Police of the Afetropolis; It. L. Matthews, aro', (Chief Constable of' Leeds), Borough Police Forces; R. Yarnell Davies, M'B.E. (Chief Constable of Flintsbire), County Police Forces; Roderick Rose, C.B.E., M,V.O. (Chief Constable of Edinburgh), Chief Con stables (Scotland) Association; H. Berryman, County Councils Association; Is Carmichael, D.S.0,, M.O., Association of Municipal Corporations; a Griffin (Chief Constable of Brighton), Association of Municipal Corporations; A. 0. Knight, MC., M.Inst.C.E., -Urban District councils Association; S. N. Horne, Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint committeeA. E. Cave, J.P., Motor Legislation Committee; E. H. Fryer, F.I.A.A., M.Inst.T. (Automobile Association), Motor Legislation Committee; Hugh Gregory, M.I.Meoh.E., M.I.A.E., M.Inst.T. (Royal Automobile Club), Motor Legislation Committee; C. le M. Gosselin, M.I.A.E., Standing Joint Committee of Mechanical Road Transport Associations; F. G. Bristow, F.0.I.8., M.Inst.T., Commercial Motor Users Association; J. E. Portia, Transport and General Workers' Union; B. J. Smith, C.P.E., F.S.S., C.A., Royal Scottish Automobile Club; 1'. '1'. .Bidlake, Cpcliste Touring Club; Sir Alexander K. Butterworth, Pedestrians' Association; Mesarg. C. A. Birtelanell, E. B. Hart, R. W. Butler, A.M.Inst.C.F,., and E. S. Perrin, B.Sc., A.M.Inst.C.E., M.Inst.A.E., A.M.I.E.E., Ministry of Transport.
The secretary is Mr. P. Faulkner of the ministry of Transport.