News of the Week
Page 24
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IN the House of Commons on Monday. Mr. Alfred Barnes, Minister of Transport, moving the second reading of the Transport Bill, said that it was the largest and most extensive socialization measure ever presented to a free democratic Parliament. The sum of £1,065,000,000 was immediately involved in taking over the railway companies and the London Pas
senger Transport Board. Experience gained in the war, particularly at the Ministry of Transport, would be very useful in the tasks lying ahead.
He had no hesitation in rejecting a request for an inquiry before the Bill was' proceeded with. It was the time to end the uncertainty of the past century and face a complete process of unification.
The London and North Eastern Railway's wagons and locomotives averaged 32 years old, and if separate undertakings were allowed to continue, this company would be handicapped in the scramble for capital.