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Govt. Seeks Wider Transport Powers
Page 61
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From our Political Correspondent
THE Government is seeking powers to control the country's transport and other essential services should there be another freeze-up of the intensity of last winter.
At present, Royal proclamations of a state of emergency only cover situations brought about, or threatened, by industrial action. The last occasion the powers were used was in the railway strike of 1955.
Now, it is proposed to extend the circumstances governed by a state of emergency to include any events that might interfere with the provision of the community's " essentials of life ". In this way it would be possible, for instance, to make a proclamation and the necessary regulations if prolonged bad weather, floods and so on threatened the nation.
In addition, the Government is to take permanent powers to employ servicemen, when necessary in the national interest, on urgent work of this nature. Until now this power has been regularly renewed since the War. The plan is to put it on a permanent footing.
A Bill containing these proposals was put before M.P.s this week and is expected to be passed through Parliament before the General Election.