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The Salter Report

10th February 1933
Page 70
Page 71
Page 70, 10th February 1933 — The Salter Report
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

TN the House of Commons last '..ITuesday, Mr. Leslie Boyce, Member for Gloueester, asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that more than six months had now elapsed since he received the unanimous. report of the Salter Conference, and more than three months since the expiration of the extended time-limit for the submission of observations thereon by highway authorities and other interests concerned; and in view of the increasing importance and urgency attached to the Salter Report as the result of the recent finding of the National Wages Board ; and in view of the harmful effect upon the railways and the motor industry alike of the present state of indecision, the Minister

is now in a position to state whether, and, if so, when, steps will be taken to implement the recommendations of the Salter Conference.

Mr. Pybus in reply said :—" The report of the Rail and Road Conference, presided over by Sir Arthur Salter, was signed on July 31 last, and since that date representations and detailed comments have been received from a large number of organizations and interests concerned, which it was necessary to consult, and which, in many cases, required an extension of time in order to permit of consideration. The Government has very carefully considered the report and those representations, also the relevant recommendations in the final report of the Royal Commission on Transport, and has decided to introduce at an early date a Bill to provide for the licensing and the better regulation of the transport of goods by road. As regards licence duties, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave my hon, friend on December 19. last, to the effect that questions of taxation are a Budget matter and that it is not possible to anticipate the Budget decision."

Mr. Boyce : While thanking the Minister for his satisfactory reply, would he be more definite and state when the Bill wilt be introduced?"

Mr. Pybus "The Bill will be introduced as early as possible ; certainly before the Ilguse rises for the Easter Recess."

Tilling and B.A.T. Report.

In our issue dated January 27 we published a paragraph announcing the dividends to be paid by Tilling and British Automobile Traction, Ltd., and the company's report, which has recently been issued, shows that for the year 1932 a profit of 1234,801 was made, this figure comparing with £20,10s in the previous year. A sum of £10,000 is to be transferred to the reserve, and the amount to be carried forward is £136,909, as against £92,108 brought into the accounts. The balance sheet shows investments in associated and subsidiary concerns at £2,788,971.

• A Move for Abolishing the M. of T.

According to the Parliamentary correspondent of The Times Lord Ruck master has given notice that, on February 15, he will move in the House of Lords that, "In the opinion of this House, the duties of the Ministry of Transport could be better discharged by the Home Office and the Board of Trade, and that it is in the public interest that the said Ministry should be dissolved and its functions distributed among other departments."

Agreement on Anglo-Persian Oil Dispute.

The agreement reached between the British and Persian Governments on the dispute over the Anglo-Persian Oil Co.'s concession provides for the suspension until May of all proceedings before the League Council. Both parties reserve their legal standpoints. The agreement also provides for the immediate opening of negotiations between the company and the Persian Government and for the company to continue normal opera tions in Persia.

An Excellent Service Organization.

"Service Supreme" is the bold title given to an interesting and attractive publication issued by Stewart and Ardern, Ltd., Morris House, 103, New Bond Street, London, W., the sole Landon distributor of Morris cars. It contains" a foreword by the Editor of our associated journal, The Motor. The purpose of this booklet is to indicate the extent of the facilities available in connection with the sales, service end repair organization of the company, and it contains brief descriptions and numerous illustrations of activities in these directions. The company's service arrangements have been developed along sound and practical lines, and in phases of the work, such as inter-depot transport and salvage service, Morris-Commercial vehicles are employed.

The Minister of Transport has invited Mr. W. H. E. Sparks, of West Hartlepool, to accept an appointment as a Road Traffic Commissioner for the Northern Area.

Electromobile's Taken Over.

We understanct that arrangements have now been made by Electricars, Ltd., Lawley Street, Birmingham, to take over the business of Electromobile, Ltd., of Otley, Leeds, which manufactures a range of electric trucks and vehicles. For the past two years the business of the latter company has been conducted by Mr. C. D. Cuppleditch at Bromley, Leeds. In connection with this arrangement Mr. Cuppleditch is joining the staff of Electricars, Ltd.

C.M.U.A. Taxation Representations.

The situation that will arise if the Government puts into effect the recommendations embodied in the Salter Report, particularly the taxation proposals, was considered at a recent meet

ing of the Natiynal Council of the C.M.U.A.

The Association is opposed to the proposed scale of vehicle licence duties recommended by the Conference on Rail and Road Transport, and submits that commercial users have a just claim to some measure of relief from the present burden of taxation. It urges that assistance of this kind would be one of the readiest means for assisting trade and industry throughout the country to reduce its costs.

After the position had been carefully reviewed, it was resolved that representations should be made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Rootes to Develop Commercial-vehicle Sales.

As from the beginning of this month the business of Commer'Sales, Ltd., has been taken over by Rootes, Ltd., which is developing a, commercial-vehicle department. In connection with this arrangement, Mr. P. G. Watson, who has, in the past, been closely associated with developments of the Humber-Hillman-Co/timer franchises, has transferred from the combined companies to the staff of Rootes, Ltd.

Cutting a Road Through Lava.

The Iraq Petroleum Co. is to build 100 miles of metalled road through the boulder-strewn lava country of Transjordania, for transporting the huge quantities of material needed for the company's pipe-line operations.