Road Transport Topics in Parliament
Page 40
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By Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent REMEDYING THE STEEL SHORTAGE.
I T was stated by Dr. Burgin that the British Iron and Steel Federation was taking steps to remedy the position in respect of the shortage of steel, and were ready to investigate any case in which supplies were deficient. He would see that the interests of the smaller manufacturers were protected.
BRITISH PRODUCTION OF OIL.
TE Minister of Mines, Capt. Crookshank, stated that the production of motor spirit in this country, during the year 1935, from coal or shale, was estimated to be about 75,000,000 gallons. So far. as he was aware, it was sold at the same prices as similar grades of imported spirit.
Sir P. Sassoon, Under-Secretary of State for Air, informed the House that oil produced from shale was not suitable for Royal Air Force requirements.
is28 Mr. Lindsay, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, said the quantity of oil produced from Scottish shale, purchased annually for the Royal Navy, amounted to about 50,000 gallons.
HEALTH OF BUS MEN UNDER INVESTIGATION.
INFORMATION was sought as to the 'progress of the investigation by the Industrial 'Health Research Board of the Medical Research Council regarding the cause of gastric disorders among bus men. Captain Margesson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, said that the investigation was being actively pursued, but that it would necessarily take some time to collect reliable statistics.
SUGGESTED SPEED-LIMIT AMENDMENT.
THE Road Traffic lAmendment) Bill, presented by Colonel MooreBrabazon and supported by Mr. Ivor Guest and Captain Strickland, proposes that with respect to any road on which a speed limit is in force, under section one of the Road Traffic Act, 1939, the Minister of Transport may direct that it shall be suspended during such hours at such places as he May determine, and may subsequently vary or revoke any such direction,
COST OF FIVE.YEAR PLAN.
R. HORE-BELISHA stated, that lifithe proposed expenditure. of £150,000,000, tinder the five-year, programme, represented the estimated cost of the schemes submitted. The proportion which would be borne by the Road Fund was in the neighbourhood of 70 per cent.