'Hope THC take them over'
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TORY MPs were shocked this week when -IMrs. Barbara Castle expressed the hope that additional costs having to be met by private road hauliers would lead to more take-overs by the Transport Holding Company.
She said that the acquisition of suitable private haulage concerns by the THC was a valuable contribution to her policy of building up an expanding freight service and a public ownership, and had her full encouragement.
Opposition transport spokesman Mr. Peter Walker wondered whether the imposition of additional fuel tax, the increased commercial vehicle licences, the doing away with investment allowances and the six-month interest-free loan under the selective employment tax would reduce the price the Holding Company had to pay for these acquisitions.
To cries of "Oh", Mrs. Castle replied:—"! only hope it will enable acquisitions to continue on an ever-widening scale".
Her comment came during a busy session when she and her two junior Ministers were faced with nearly 150 questions on every aspect of transport.
Mr. Walker asked whether the Minister had given the Road Haulage Association, during this week's discussion, an assurance that under the National Freight Corporation they would have free access to liner train terminals or be able to deliver goods themselves by their own lorries. He was told he would have to wait for the White Paper on transport policy.
To Mr. W. W. Hamilton (Labour, West Fife), who wanted the Government to stand firm against the RHA, she recalled that she had discussed on an earlier occasion the Association's "lamentable defiance" of the Prices and Incomes Board and added that she believed it was a matter which reflected seriously on the willingness of the Association to serve the national interest.