The Minister's Message I T is ,with_ pleasure. that . I
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take this opportunity to express, through The Commercial Motor; my good wishes. to the commercial-vehicle industry for the' success of the huge and representative display of its products at Earls Court.
Parliament has found it necessary in the national interest to institute a measure of control over the design and operation of commercial vehicles, both passenger and goods, but the latest figures for new registrations and the total number of commercial vehicles employed indicate that in neither case has the effett of that control been to limit the efforts of the designers or the proper development of the industry.
Much his been said recently upon the matter of roads. The -Ministry has recently taken over the control of some 4,500 miles of trunk roads, and one of the objects is to make them more suitable for all forms of road transport.
I am looking forward with interest to the report of the Conference of the German Roads Delegation, for which I asked in my speech at the Motor Show Banquet of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It must be remembered, however, BIS
shall develop on a sound basis. and play their proper part in a transport system which will serve the needs of the nation with efficiency, and economy.
Road transport has grown up in a somewhat haphazard manner and is still experiencing its teething troubles. When these have passed and the industry has placed itself on a more stable basis it should prove an even more valuable servant of the community than has been the case in the past.
I am glad to note the efforts which are being made towards increased safety. The problem of road accidents is of vital importance to the community, and anything which can be done by the industry to ameliorate present conditions will be a valuable contribution to social wellbeing. As specific tendencies towards this, I note improvements in .braking and in field of view for the driver.
Still more can be done, however, in the matter of maintenance, and from this aspect I am pleased to note that a large part of the Commercial Motor Exhibition is devoted to exhibits concerned with service and garage equipment.