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'Our Concern is Efficiency'—Mr. Turner
Page 7
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wE are concerned only with the efficiency of transport," said Mr. K. C. Turner, president, at the annual dinner in London on Monday of the Traders Road Transport Association. He went on to say that nobody bad a vested interest • in using their own vehicles_ " We are not interested in proposing only the use of C-licensed vehicles, but we are concerned to maintain freedom of choice." This included, he said, freedom for traders to use their own vehicles if they so required. The T.R.T.A. welcomed the Beeching report, he added, because it offered the prospect of speedy and reliable rail services and better service at lower rates. If the handling problems could be overcome, and if the costs were right, trade and industry would put more on rail. The Association was willing to discuss with Dr. Beeching (who was one of the guests at the dinner) any aspect of the -implementation of his policies.
Speaking of the Minister of Transport's announcement in the Commons that afternoon of the setting-up of a committee of inquiry into licensing, Mr. Turner said that after 30 years the system certainty deserved consideration, but the emphasis must be on progress and not restriction.
The announcement of the inquiry also drew a remark from Lord Netherthorpe, chairman of the British Productivity Council. He said: "Time alone will tell what sort of plan they will hatch out ". He described. the Beeching report as a courageous one. Traders, he said, must have control of transport to achieve good productivity, and must be given freedom of choice.
Deputizing for the Minister of Transport, the Duke of Devonshire, Minister of State, Commonwealth Relations, warned that it was folly to rely on a rail system set out before the motorcar was thought of.