FUEL TAX EFFECTS
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WITH Schedule A. sweets, ice-cream VY and short-term gains to occupy them, M.P.s had little to say about fuel tax when they debated the Budget last week,
Mr. James Callaghan (Cardiff South East), who led for the Opposition, said he was sorry that the Chancellor had done nothing to relieve bus companies and municipal undertakings from some parts of the tax. In remote country districts this tax might sway the balance between deciding to run a bus service and cutting off a country area completely. In some parts of the country it had already done so. But even in the urban areas it was important, he said, and quoted figures from Cardiff in support,
LOCAL-COUNCIL BUS SERVICES
A PRIVATE Member's Bill to allow IA district councils to rain bus services in rural areas was given a first reading in the Commons last week, and is due to be considered again on May 18, Introducing the measure, which has support from both sides of the House, Mr. Raymond Gower (Cons., Barry) said it was designed to meet a particular need in many parts of the country today, where public transport services were inadequate.
Mr. Gower emphasized that the powers in his Bill were purely permissive, and that councils would be able to run buses only if they were given permission by the appropriate Traffic Commissioners. But it would prevent these local authorities being involved in the costly procedure of promoting Private Bills in the Commons.
He added that there was no threat to existing services or established operators —and refuted any arguments that his Bill anticipated Government action on the Jack Report.
PROHIBITING "HEAVIES" FROM TOWNS
A CALL for the Minister of Transport I-I to make it an offence for any heavy goods vehicle not to use a designated by-pass route that avoided busy urban centres was made in the Commons last week by a Labour M.P., Mr. R. W. Sorensen (Le yton).
Mr. Marples pointed out that outside the London Traffic Area it was for the local authority in the first instance to make traffic regulation orders. So far orders had been made by two local authorities prohibiting heavy goods vehicles from driving through busy urban centres. .
LOAD SAFETY PROVISIONS SUFFICIENT
SKED what consideration he had ti given to the proposal that loads of loose materials such as rubble, ballast and gravel must be conveyed only in vehicles designed to prevent their contents from falling on the roads, Mr. Marples said that the use of vehicles for unsuit able purposes, and the carriage of loads not well enough securedto prevent danger being caused by their falling off were both offences under the existing law. He did not think the present provisions needed strengthening.
VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AGREEMENT
DRITAIN is to join in a European I-) agreement governing the approval of motor vehicle equipment and parts. An amendment to the Road Traffic Bill to enable the Government to fulfil its obligations under the agreement will be proposed shortly, said Mr. Marples, when he announced this linking with the Continent.
Nine European countries had now joined, or signified their intention of joining this agreement, said the Minister. It promised to make important progress in establishing uniformity throughout Europe in the requirements for and conditions of approval of vehicle equipment and parts,
TO PERMIT SMALL-VEHICLE HIRING
" A SINGULAR example of bumble
dom at its most fatuous" led 1VIr. John Peyton (Cons., Yeovii) to introduce into the Commons a Bill designed to amend the Road Traffic Act, 1960, so that small vehicles can be hired without breaking the law.
He told the House that four women in his constituency saved about 50 minutes a day by making an arrangement with a car-hire .firm to take them to and from work. But when news that they had been so unwise "as to consult their own personal convenience and comfort" reached that strange shadowy underworld of bumbledorn, the whole machine creaked into action. They were trailed, stopped and warned, and the practice had to come to an end.
"It. is quite absurd that this extensive paraphernalia should be deployed to stop so small and innocent an occurrence," declared Mr. Peyton.
He quoted, too,' a case • in Gravesend where parents Were stopped from sending their children to school by taxi, despite the fact that an adequate bus service was not provided.
The Bill was given its first reading, and will he before the House again on May 4.
Municipal Opportunities
Sowerhy Bridge U.D.C. invite tenclqt-z, by May 4 for a Land-Rover.
Stalyhridge Corporation are to invite tenders for a gully emptier vehicle.
Colwyn Bay Borough Council invite tenders by May 19 for a mechanical road sweeper,
Chelmsford Borough Council' invite tenders by April 24 for a Bedford 3-ton diesel truck.
Cnsthourne Highways Committee have authorized the borough surveyor to obtain tenders for a new gully emptier.
Swindon Water Committee are to invite tenders for a pick-up truck, a long-wheelbase van, two light vans, one Mini-van and a 3-ton Bedford diesel lorry.
Norfolk County Council I-Tighways Committee have authorized the purchase for £2,810 of a Whitlock excavator vehicle with power shovel and auxiliary equipment. They have also authorized the purchase of a Bedford light nick-un truck