A Hole in the Net ?
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DURING the debate in the House of Lords on the committee stage of the Transport Bill, Lord Teynham suggested that the Bill, as at present drawn, would not circumscribe the British Transport Commission's activities in road passenger transport, but would give power to extend them. This is not, of course, the Government's intention, and the Earl of Selkirk promised to examine the question further. It would be a grievous thing if, through lack of care in drafting, the Government's aim to restrict State participation in road passenger transport were to be reversed.
Lord Teynham proposed an amendment to Section 16, which was later withdrawn, to make it clear that London :Transport were to be restricted to the area laid down in the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933. He thought that otherwise the London Transport Executive might be able to extend their activities beyond the limits prescribed in the socialization measure of 1947.
The Commission might be able to empower the L.T.E. to operate anywhere in the country, subject to the approval of the Licensing Authorities. The B.T.C.'s statutory duty to provide a co-ordinated system of passenger transport in the London area. Lord Teynham suggested, might be quoted to strengthen applications for licences outside the "monopoly area." Moreover, Clause 16 (4) (c) seemed to impose on the Licensing Authorities a statutory obligation to show partiality towards the L.T.E., in preference to private operators, in respect of routes outside London.
Only the legal experts can decide whether Lord Teynham has started a hare, but as president of the National Road Transport Federation he is in close touch with the road passenger tranport industry and he has obviously been briefed by persons who appreciate the practical effects of the law on bus operation. The Earl of Selkirk was, naturally, unable to give a complete answer "off the cuff," particularly as he was merely deputizing as a Government spokesman for Lord Leathers, who is ill.
It is to be hoped, however, that his undertaking to "look at the words and see whether the duty may seem to be put too high" will be faithfully fulfilled. The B.T.C. have already a large stake-too large, many operators believe—in road passenger transport, and it must not be allowed to increase.