Transport Control Now and After the War
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WHAT-further steps were being taken W. . to organize road transport so that it would play a more 'effectivepart in the war effort, especially in relation•to .the heavy call on transport andertakings 'that was anticipated this year, was a Parliamentary question asked last week by Mr. G, Ridley, presidentielect of the Labour Party and a former rail
-way clerk. .
Mr. Noel-Baker recalled, in -reply, that Lord Leathers bad announced, last November, his. intention, to control long-distance trans-port in order to ensure economy is the consumption of . motor fuel and tyres, whilst maintaining a supply of transport immediately available to meet any emergency that might arise. He added that the necessary organization was now -being set up and that . some operators had, by agreement, already become controlled undertakl ings, whilst -many others had made known their intention to do so. These controlled undertakings would provide the necessary facilities for the operating units, which would form the basis of the organization.
Already, he continued,some nucleus units were in existence, and it would shortly be possible to proceed with arrangements for the hiring of the vehicles of other hauliers, provided these vehicles had been previously engaged, wholly or mainly, in the conveyance of traffic which Wai to come under control. . Major Lyons then inquired if Mr. Noel-Baker could say, broadly, 'whether the proposals of 'this schemehad met with welcome or hostility from the road transport organizations? The Parliamentary Secretary replied that the road-haulage industry was not well organized and, it was difficult to say what met-with its approval, but many of the concerns which had been invited to become controlled undertakings were accepting that invitation, and (iu
answer to a question from Captain Strickland) a high proportion of roadtransport undertakings had. come into the scheme.
Replying to a further question from Mr. Ridley, Mr. Noel-Baker later said that when .the Minister had formulated definite proposals for the post-war' reorganization of transport, he would submit them to the Government for consideration, but that stage had not yet been reached. " Am I to take it that there is under contemplation the State organization of transport after the War? " asked .Captain Strickland. "I do not think you should make atiy assumptions," replied Mr. Noel-Baker,