MANY AMENDMENTS TO ULSTER BILL
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ALONG series of amendments to the Northern 1relahd Road and Rail Transport Bill was tabled for consideration when the Bill was taken in the Committee Stage. this week.
Several amendments, in the name of Mr. H. Midgley, aim at altering entirely the financial structure of the 'Bill, limiting the borrowing power of the proposed Transport Board for capital purposes to the Ulster Government Loans Fund. The same member also proposes to make the Minister of Home Affairs responsible to Parliament for the working of the Board.
Another important amendment is sponsored by Mr. E. S. Murphy, K-C., and seeks to protect Belfast Corporation's bus undertaking. The amendment proposes to empower the Corporation to operate services within the area included in any further extension of the -city boundary. In the event of any undertaking acquired by the Board being situated in this extended area, Mr. MurphYs amendment proposes that the Board shall surrender such portion of its rights and the corporation pay compensation for the concession. Major Hall-Thompson and Mr. Murphy offer protection for the Belfast and Londonderry carriers in a clause proposing that only existing carriers in the two cities who have been operating for 12 months be licensed and that no new licences shall be issued unless they be deemed necesiary for public requirements.
Other amendments seek to alter the proposed half-mile limit within which farmers may carry goods for their neighbours, to a mile radius, and to exempt vehicles used for the transport of milk and cream to and from creameries from the provisions of the Bill.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Institute of British Carriage and Automobile Manufacturers have issued a joint memorandum opposing the clause in the Northern Ireland Road and Rail Transport Bill giving power to the proposed Transport Board to manufacture vehicles for its own use.
Manufacture for the requirements of the Board, the memorandum contends, would be bound to be uneconomic.