Government Pledge to Support Hauliers
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I N a New Year message to members of the Road Haulage Association. Mr. Harold Watkinson, Minister of Transport, pledged the Conservative Party to resist any attempt by a future Socialist Government to renationalize road haulage.
It had, he said, been the Government's objective to try to take transport out of politics. This, however, did not appear to be the policy of the Opposition.
"I must make it plain, therefore," he continued, "that the Government firmly believes that the present solution is the right one for the whole of the roadhaulage industry. We believe that the mixed economy of State and private enterprise, with free comnetition between them, is the right one in the public interest. We shall, therefore, unhesitatingly oppose plans 'which would seek to throw this industry back into violent partisan political controversy. This, in our view, can do nothing but harm to the industry. which needs to be left alone to solve its problems and to increase its efficiency. " In conclusion, I would say that I do not believe that it is the wish of the country as a whole further to disrupt the day-to-day business of road haulage. It is certainly not the Government's intention to do so."
PUBLIC TO SEE ROAD RESEARCH
THE Road Research Laboratory will hold open days on May 15 and 16. Visitors will be able to visit the Materials and Construction Division and the Colonial Section at Harmondsworth (Middx) and the Traffic and Safety Division at Langley (Bucks).
The Scottish branch at Thortontall. near Glasgow, will be open for ins-pet:MN: on June 4 and 5.
ABERDEEN TO END TRAMS
ABERDEEN'S last tram route will be abolished in favour of buses within the next five months. This has been agreed by Aberdeen Town Council. despite an appeal from local residents that the route connecting the Bridge of Dec to the Bridge of Don should be retained.