Tenacity of Purpose
Page 35
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
BECAUSE transport is a public service in the widest sense it is inevitable that it should be subject to a continuing series of reports on its activities. Road and rail, goods and passengers—recently an sectors have received attention. Commendably, too, many of these reports have been readable, instructive and purposeful. This is not surprising considering that they have been the fruits of that muchmaligned sector of the community, the experts—and often publicspirited, unpaid experts into the bargain!
Disappointingly for them their efforts have often met with little more reward than their report being a nine-day wonder before being destined for yet one more Whitehall pigeon hole.
But in quick succession in recent weeks two chairmen of such • inquiries have seemingly decided that their reports, at least, should not suffer a similar fate. The Prices and Incomes Board set an example in working to a tight schedule themselves to produce their interim report in barely two months. with injunctions to the parties concerned for positive and immediate action. Now the final report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Port Transport Industry categorically states where the onus for action lies. if the parties concerned are unwilling or incapable of action on the Committee's recommendation the Government should impose such recommendations.
A sign of the times?• If so., it could be a commendable. one. Until now the worst of both worlds has been created by stimulating the need for change through the means of an authoritative inquiry and then for a Government to fail in its responsibility through lack of leadership and determination to implernent.a report by action.