Inconsistencies in Government Policy
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THE critical stage that has now been reached in Britain's battle for economic survival provides no occasion for political recrimination and domestic squabbling. Nevertheless, the people who, largely through Governmental incompetence, have been brought to the verge of bankruptcy, are entitled to expect that the tactics to be employed in the field of recovery will be consistent with the aims of the overall strategy. The Prime Minister's historic speech in the House of Commons, last week, did not offer this assurance.
His announcement that fuel supplies for commercial vehicles would he reduced by 10 per cent. does not conform with the Government's apparent policy of relieving the overloaded railway system. Government Departments are being encouraged to use road transport as far as ' possible, and the G.P.O. has inaugurated long-distance road services, employing 200 heavy lorries, with the specific object of diverting traffic from the railways.
Oil fuel, as 'well as petrol, supplies will be reduced, but, according to the Ministry of Transport, "public service vehicles" will not be affected. There is some doubt as to whether this term has been correctly applied, or whether it is intended to refer only to stage-carriage and express-carriage services operating on regular time-tables. It may well be that coaches used for pleasure services will be subject to the fuel cut, but the Ministry of Fuel and Power was unable to clear up the confusion.
The cut to be made in supplementary allowances of petrol will seriously affect operators of taxicabs and hire cars, and impose a further burden upon the over-worked public transport system.
Warnings have already been given of the precarious position of essential transport services and the difficulties that may be expected during the winter. The dangers created by the tyre shortage will be aggravated by the reduction in the petrol allowance, and the outlook for industry and the public in matters of transport is indeed black.
The only ray of hope held out to the transport industry is contained in Mr. Attlee's appeal to the workers not to press at this time for increases in wages, and to employers not to tempt -workers away from essential industries. The migration of workers from road passenger transport has been alarming and has been accompanied by persistent demands for higher pay and better conditions from those who have remained. The Prime Minister's call for appreciation by employees of their obligations to the Nation in these troubled times, may. if the Government has any influence with the workers, prevent a further serious rise in passenger. transport costs and charges.