R.N.A. CONFERENCE, 1963, I
Page 50
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would like nothing better than to be left free to continue their joint efforts with other •providersof transport to see that the best pc.)ssible.transport service or combination of transport services was available to meet them. He was sure that the present Government was with the Association in this endeavour.
"In promoting the sensible development of the transport system, the Association is more than willing to co-operate with the Government. Hauliers feel that the Government should be equally willing to'seek their co-operation at all levels and stages."
Responding to the toast, Mr. W. F. Deedes, MC., M.P.,Minister without Portfolio, said that he shared with the Association the good opinion of the Government. which had., undergone changes during the past day or two.
The present state of the Government might well be compared with a matured model of a vehicle fitted With a reconditioned engine hearing the . notice " Running In". But there was a signifi; cant difference between the present engine and its 'predecessor—they had slipped an extra cylinder or two designed to give an extra turn of speed in the task of modernizing Britain.
Mr. Deedes said that there were some. in the world of transport who believed in integration. The Government had felt the keynote was "Co-ordination which was a horrible word but a sensible attitude. There were others who wanted to see transport wrapped up in one national plan. but the Government could not accept that. " I agree with those who have in mind a separate plan related to central thinking on a central theme ", he said.
The country would be well advised to think seriously about the advent of the rhotor age, the implications of which were arnong the bravest physical problems which were before it, bearing in mind the fact that by the year 2.000 there would be four times t'he number of vehicles on the road.
" I don't believe there is one single man who could draft and then direct an integrated system in this country ", he added. The right course was to agree a certain common key to a better use of resources. Mr. Deedes concluded by saying that he thought that industries such as road haulage could find their own quickest route through—this was called "planning by consent". N.H.T.