ROAD TRANSPORT MATTERS IN PARLIAMENT.
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The Question of the Road Fund. Prospective New Legislation. The White Line. Damage to Property Adjoining the Highway.
By Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent.
T" question of supreme interest upon which no definite enlightenment is likely to be afforded before Mr. Churchill introduces his next Budget in April is the raid on the Road Fund. A report has been current that the Cabinet Committee on Expenditure had decided in favour of diverting part of the proceeds of the motor taxes to general purposes, but there is good ground for the statement that no such decision has been taken. Certainly the Cabinet has not yet made up its mind on the subject, and deputations from local authorities have yet to be heard. It is undeniable, however, that there is a distinct set in Governmental and Official circles towards the principle that some limitation should be placed upon the amount of money to be devoted in future to road development and upkeep. The question that is, no doubt, exercising Mr. Churchill's mind is how to achieve this object without creating a sense of grievance among motor taxpayers, who rely on Mr. Lloyd George's pledge as to the destination of the taxes.
It will be argued that Mr. Lloyd George had no power to pledge future Governments and that, in any event, he did not foresee the creation of a fund which will quickly amount to 120,000,000 a year, and possibly 130,000,000 or more, in the near future if the present incidence is left unchanged.
Prospects of New Motor Legislation.
TNURING the former part of the Parliamentary _L./session, now resumed, ministerial hints were given that a large and comprehensive Bill, or series of Bills, were on the stocks ‘for the purpose of clearing up the tangle of the laws affecting roads and motor traffic, When inquiring Members pressed the Government on such matters as speed limits, revision of the taxation scale, inspection and control of service vehicles, insurance and so on, the almost invariable reply was that these questions were being considered in connection with forthcoming legislation.
It is no fault of the Minister of Transport, however, that the promised Bills of first-class importance have not yet seen the light of day. Every department has its draft Bills ready for the moment when the Government can afford Parliamentary time. The difficulty is to fit them into the scheme of Parliamentary business, which is perennially in a state of congestion.
A First Instalment. A First Instalment. II
-OAD transport legislation has suffered from politi cal exigencies like the rest, and it is still a little doubtful whether Col. Ashley will have an opportunity before the Christmas prorogation to bring in even a part of the legislative scheme he has in draft. ,An effort will, however, be made by the Minister to secure the introduction of a Bill of limited scope, so that those affected may have time to study its provisions before it is proceeded with next session. This Bill will deal almost exclusively with public-service vehicles, and, in respect of inspection by licensing authorities before the issue of a licence, the supervision of vehicles, the application of regulations with regard to braking, and other constructional and traffic requirements in the interest of public safety, it will be based upon the findings of the Departmental Committee on the Licensing and Regulation of Public Service Vehicles who reported on May 28th last, and whose recommendations were pubished at the time in The Commercial Motor.
Revision of Taxation.
TEER revision of the scale of taxes with a view to a more equitable adjustment of the burden having regard to the amount of damage done to the roads is,
of course, a Budget matter. It is a much more difficult proposition than is imagined by those Members of Parliament who are constantly pointing to the iniquities of the commercial transport vehicle, and demanding that the punishment should "fit the crime." Unfortunately for their designs, the " crime " is not measurable for the practical purpose of tax collection. There is a limit to the refinements that can be introduced in all flat-rate arrangements of national application, whether in the receiving or dishursing of public money. Mileage, obviously, must be a factor in considering relative effect upon road surfaces, and the introduction and periodical inspection of sealed meters is not likely to meet with approval either among owners or in official circles. Neither does it seem practicable to make fine adjustments and classifications in respect of weight, tyres, etc., for the Purpose of levying a more exact tax. Further, it has been definitely stated that the Government have no intention to revert to taxation of motor spirit. So it would appear that the problem will remain a problem for some time longer.
Should Four-wheel Brakes be Compulsory?
COL. ASHLEY has turned down the suggestion that four-wheel brakes on all cars sold after a certain date should be made compulsory by Act of Parliament. He states that the existing Orders and Regulations provide that all motor vehicles shall be equipped with an efficient braking system, and the time has not arrived for laying down a requirement making the use of four-wheel brakes compulsory. He further points out that there is an increasing tendency on the part of motor manufacturers to provide four-wheel brakes; at any rate, on private cars.
The White Line.
TNFORMATION has been requested regarding the
adoption of the white line by local authorities. The Minister of Transport, while, unable to give figures,. states that his own observation and the reports he has received go to show that the white line is being widely used throughout the country. In various ways he has recently taken steps to draw the attention of local authorities to the utility of this precautionary method, and has urged the need for uniformity of practice. He has also been in consultation with the representatives of metropolitan boroughs and with various associations representing local authorities, engineers and surveyors, whilst the views of chief constables are being sought through the Home Office. A circular will shortly be issued for the guidance of local authorities generally on the subject of the use of the white line.
Damage to Houses.
THE House of Lords on December 9th will be asked to discuss the question of damage to house property which is in close proximity to roads used by heavy vehicles, more especially those roads used by omnibuses in the vicinity of the Metropolis. Lord Etathcreedan has put down a question on the subject asking the Government to consider theadvisability of taking some steps to diminish the damage.
New Road to London Dockland.
THE scheme for the proposed new road from London to the Victoria and Albert Docks is still under consideration. Beyond that, the Minister of Transport is unable to make any statement on the subject.