The Abolition of the Ministry of Transport.
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WITH regard to the abolition of the Ministry of Transport, it is much to be regretted that this department will be swallowed up in another. Road transport interests in future, in spite of what may be urged in favour of this not very substantial economy, are almost certain to receive less attention from the Government than they have hitherto received. Such considerations were pointed out In The Commercial Motor of January 25th, in an article on Col. Moore-Brabazon's resignation. Probably the Cabinet's hand has been forced in thus resolving to eliminate the department along with the other two—the Mines Department and the Overseas Trade Department. Nevertheless, by giving in to the clamour of a number of its supporters and others who have been shouting a good deal about expenditure on Government • Departments, the Cabinet will gain much credit for very little achievement.
It would be interesting to learn the official estimate of economy to be effected by handing over the Ministry of Transport administration to the Board of Trade. Will it exceed £20,000? Some estimate ought to be given, and those members who may doubt the wisdom of sacrificing the Ministry of Transport should make it their business to press the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this subject during the Budget debates.
There is far too much loose talk about the causes of waste and extravagance. If all, the staffs of the Civil Service were abolished the saving Would be a bagatelle compared with the total national expenditure. It is the policies of succeeding Governments that are expensive and that lead to national extravagance, not the departmental machinery for the administration of those policies. It is understood that when the Board of Trade take over the Ministry of Transport the administration of the Road Fund will go to the Ministry of Health, the Treasury eventually gaining control of the disbursements. The ear-marking of motor taxation for the roads is, of course, very much disliked by a Chancellor of the Exchequer who, finding great difficulty in making ends meet, hardly dares to touch this flourishing source of revenue production. There is a good deal of talk about the probability of Col. Ashley going to the House of Lords when the day of departure arrives.