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Mr. Speir Returns to the Attack

16th November 1962
Page 13
Page 13, 16th November 1962 — Mr. Speir Returns to the Attack
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

ABILL to shame the Government into action on the Jack Committee report is being contemplated by Mr. Rupert. Speir, Conservative M.P. for Hexham. A tireless worker in the cause of rural transport, Mr. Speir has once again come out among the top 10 M.P.s who have a chance to bring in their own legislation this year. He is at present considering four alternatives, tWo of them concerning transport, writes our Political Correspondent.

First, he would like to repeal the " antiquated " laws governing taxicabs, at the same time giving a better deal to minicabs. But his main interest in the field lies with getting action on rural transport. If the Government shows no early signs of getting a move on, he is likely to plump for a Bill giving county Councils power to subsidize unremunerative rural bus operations, and to recover half of their costs from the Exchequer.

This is in line with the main majority recommendation of the Jack Connthittee, . on which action has been awaited for so long.

Mr. Spelr. believes, however, that the "final heave" toward action by the Government might well be applied by other means. On December 4 he is taking a strong deputation to the Prime Minister to talk about rural transport in general. "We arc going to ask for the urgent implementation of some of the Jack recommendations," he said this week. " 1

do not believe in keeping unremunerative branch railway lines open, except for local or national reasons.

"With British Railways losing £150 million a year, it would pay the taxpayer if a mere £2 million of what could be 'saved by branch closures was spent in assisting rural bus operators. This would keep public services going in the countryside and cut down on the railway loss."

After taking previous deputations to the Minister of Transport and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Speir believes what is now needed is a last great effort.

Mr. Macmillan has agreed to see the deputation, which is about 16 in number.

Policy of Integration UTNLESS Labour M.P.s were prepared 1.-1 to go a great deal further than they went in 1947 and radically to restrict the use ofprivate cars and C licences, said Mr.. Geoffrey Wilson (Tory. Truro) in the Cionainons this week, their policy of integration was quite useless, because they would not integrate that part of the, road traffic which was the greatest competitor with the railways. •

" am sure that they do not propose to make drastic restrictions on the use of private motor cars, and they will not go far in restricting C licences because the biggest users of C licences are the co-operative societies." It there could not be a policy of integration, something else had to be found, went on Mr. Wilson.


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