Minister tells of N FA progress
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T TNCERTAINTY and unrest in the road `"''' haulage industry and the railways since the transport White Paper was issued had caused a considerable downflow in investment in new vehicles, said Mr. Peter Walker, Opposition transport spokesman, in the Commons this week.
But Mrs. Barbara Castle would not accept this and when questioned about the six months which had elapsed since the document was published she said that what was happening was the normal procedure following publication of a White Paper and preceding the introduction of very detailed legislation.
Mr. Walker asked what progresit was being made in agreeing the details of a National Freight Authority with those concerned and was told that the Minister's plans were being drawn up in close consultation with the railways board and the Transport Holding Co. She had also had discussions with the TUC and was about to do so with the Transport Union, the RHA—on February 8—and the Transport Users Joint Committees.
Asked for some indication about the timing of legislation Mrs. Castle said the target was the earliest possible place in the programme at the beginning of next session—"and we are right on target". Later this year she would be publishing the White Paper giving details of the legislation.