A.B.C.C. Report Alarms B.T.C.
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PUBLICATION of the memorandum of the Association of British Chambers of Commerce on the integration of road, rail and waterways services, has alarmed the Minister of Transport and the British Transport Commission.
As reported in "The Commercial Motor" on June 29, the memorandum attacks the Commission's statement of policy, and demands that the Minister should set up a joint consultative committee of representatives of the B.T.C., trade, industry, commerce and labour to consider it.
In reply to a question asked at a Press conference, this week, Lord Hurcomb, chairman of the 1133.C.. pointed out that the Commission's statement of policy had been discussed with the Traders' Co-ordinating Committee Although he thought that the A.B.C.C.'s memorandum seemed in some respects to cut across the basis of the Transport Act, he would be " pleased to meet the Association at any time." He did not believe that the memorandum called for any immediate action by the Commission.
The memorandum was the result of lengthy consideration of reports by 100 chambers of commerce, representing 60,000 traders. The demand for it has been so great that the Association has had to print 2,000 copies. The booklet includes the Commission's statement, as well as the A.B.C.C.'s own memorandum on it. The Association's report has been acclaimed by the Press throughout the country.
It is believed that the Commission's embarrassment at the publication of the memorandum has been increased by the fact that many of its responsible employees endorse the Association's views. There are believed to be signs that the B T.C. has realized that it has acted prematurely and that it will approach trade and industry before committing itself irrevocably to its proposed policy of integration, as at present framed.