Transport in Parliament
Page 90
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Ministerial Statements and Replies
RURAL BUSES--A DEBATE?
I AM still considering the rural bus , problem in the light of the report of the Committee on Rural Bus Services. But I am not yet in. a position to Make a statement about this."
This reply by Mr. Ernest Marples was the signal for a fresh bout of demands that he should do something urgently to help country services. The Minister's announcement would cause great disappointment in the rural areas, where there was a feeling that this long-standing problem had not had the attention it deserved from the Ministry, said Mr. Rupert Speir (Cons., Hexham)..
In any closing of branch lines under the . new Bill, replied the Minister, the Area Committee would be deciding upon the degree of hardship and therefore would take into account the alternative bus services—alternative to the railways.
When several Members urged that the House should debate the lack-Report and drew attention to the difficulties facing Wales and Scotland, Mr. Marples promised that representations from both these countries, as well as from England, would be very seriously considered. He was aware of the urgency of the matter.
As for a debate—he would refer that matter to the Leader of the House.
. RIGHT-HAND DRIVING
ASTUDY of what would be involved if right-band driving were introduced in this country is now being made by the Ministry of Transport. Among the points being considered are the alteration of traffic signs, White lines, minor work at road junctions and the fact that 76,000 public service vehicles would have to be converted. The accident factor would also have to he taken into account. The cost of the change would be very high, but no estimates were yet available, said Mr. Marples in announcing this.
FARE CONCESSIONS
DEMANDS for an extension of the power of local authorities to grant concessionary fares were resisted by the Minister of Transport. He sympathized with the problems of the classes of traveller affected by the provisions of the Public Service Vehicles (Travel Concessions) Act of 1955 but was not prepared to propose an extension of the , concessions under the Act.
The Minister said that eleven local authorities had promoted Private Bills seeking powers to make concessions since the passing of the 1955 Act Sir David Eccles, the Minister of Education, was not any more forthcoming when he was tackled about reduced rail fares for children of school. leaving age in their last year at boarding schools. If local education authorities considered that a child needed boarding education they had power, to help the parents with the travelling expenses as well as with the fees, he told Mr. Hector Hughes (Lab., Aberdeen North).
He could not interfere with the discretion of fare-fixing bodies to decide on fare concessions. • ROADWORTHINESS TESTS IkA.P.s who expressed disquiet at the iVi exclusion • of heavier commercial vehicles from the 'seven-year test," were assured that their fears were groundless. The Road Traffic Act of 1960 dealt with the condition of both goods vehicles and buses, pointed out Mr. .1ohn Hay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, when the Commons discussed —and approved—the Order authorizing tests for vehicles registered before December 31, 1954.
NOISE FROM VEHICLES INTERESTED bodies " will probably be asked soon for their comments on the proposed regulations for defining excessive vehicle noise. The Minister of Transport hopes to circulate posals shortly.
The regulations, said Mr. were based on work carried .t by a committee of the British Institution, representative of those concerned, and partly department in conjunction National Physical Laboratory a Industry Research Associatio motor manufacturers had co-ol OVER-DRIVING LORR
THE Minister of Transport sa no evidence pointing to a legislation to deal with "the : number of accidents caused driving of lorries because of by result," but he promised to any relevant material sent to h questioner, Mr. John Mack Enfield East),
PRIVATE MOTORWAYS
MR. Marples was " interest( suggestion by Mr. Edward (Taunton) that future Ion; motorways should be jointly I by private enterprise and local ties, but saw many difficultie proposal, not least the matter t tion to enable tolls to be char.