AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Mr. Strauss

4th April 1947, Page 34
4th April 1947
Page 34
Page 34, 4th April 1947 — Mr. Strauss
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

• Makes a Promise

By Our Legal Adviser

THE debate on the Commission's charging powers will interest those who escape the clutches of Part HI of the Bill, as on the use made of those powers will depend their livelihood. One clearcut statement, containing more than a grain of comfort was made by Mr G. R. Strauss, Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, in replying to the debate.

Charges .Uncontrolled "We do not think it would be wise or desirable to introduce any control over the charges of the road hauliers who will be operating outside the Commission," he said. Such hauliers will be subject to competition, as up to now, between themselves, and, in future from the Commission.

But, said Mr. Strauss, the Commission is charged with the duty of seeing that there is an adequate and efficient transport system for the whole country, and it would be acting contrary to that duty if it did anything to make the work of the short-distance road haulier impossible. So long as his charges are reasonable, he need not worry about being undercut.

The Government resisted pressure to lay down at least the bare principles of charges schemes, which are to be drawn up by the Commission and submitted to the Arbitration Tribunal The only indications that these bodies will have of how they are to go to work are, first, the obligation in the Bill that the Commission's revenue as a whole must be not less than sufficient to meet proper charges; and, second, the pronouncement of the Parliamentary Secretary that the charges system is to be based "on the principle of what will be the greatest benefit to the community as a whole ' A Long Lead Within that Virtually limitless scope, the Commission, in drawing up the schemes, and the Tribunal in confirming or refusing to confirm them, may roam at will Charges may, or may not, have regard to the rates that independent operators are charging over the same routes, or the competition of "C" vehicles. Particular sections may be uneconomic, or may be weighted so that goods are diverted to bolster up an unremunerative service Various members gave their ideas—just as various—of what should be done Sir Arthur Salter's close analysis of the theory of working out rates was a miniature textbook on the subject. The Minister skilfully used this divergence of opinion in his short intervention in the debate, pointing out the4lifficulty of selecting which principles should be laid down, and how much better it is to leave the Commission and the Tribunal a completely free hand.

It is appropriate at this stage to consider, very briefly, what was left unsaid on the consideration of the road clauses of the Bill. The guillo tine fell twice in the course of the six sittings devoted to these clauses. This was undoubtedly due to the abandonment of the C-licence clauses, removing one of the most controversial subjects from the arena and saving at least one " sittingsworth " of time.

This was devoted to consideration of other clauses on goods road transport, the case for which, in consequence, was fully heard—fully, that is, in the sense that practically every substantial amendment was discussed.

Undoubtedly, much more could have been said, had there been Orne, but it must be admitted that goods road transport had its case adequately presented to the Committee Passenger transport was not nearly so well treated. Only one sitting was allowed for the three complex clauses on this subject and seven fairly important amendments were guillotined. If not brought up again on Report Stage, they will have to be brought up in the House of Lords. These amendments concern such matters as the incorporation in schemes "with or without modifications," of the goods compensation provisions on taking over; the case of the passenger undertaking which comes only partly under a scheme (what happens to the other part?); and the provision in the Bill absolving the Commission and its agents from obtaining road service licences.

. Unfair Advantage On the last, it should be indicated that the Commission must conform . with the Licensing . Authority's requirements as to route, class. of vehicle and picking-up points, but the Commission does not have to justify itself VI the Authority as others do, which is s1. rely an unfair advantage

The guillotine has operated on one other occasion, when compensation of railway stockholders was under discussion. Only by much restraint on the part of the Opposition in cutting discussion to the absolute mininium has it been possible to avoid mor`e frequent • executions.

The Committee had _to finish its work on April 2. The House rose yesterday (April 3) for the Easter holiday and is to resume on April 15. Four days have been allotted by the timetable to the Report Stage of the Bill and one to its Third Reading. It is presumed that the Transport Bill and the Town and Country Planning Bill will receive priority treatment after the resumption, although there is no indication as to which will be first, except that dates are more important to the TranSport Bill.

Parliamentary Pressur-e

It is unlikely that more than three days in one week will be given to the same Bill. There are really only four days a week available for this type of work, which is seldom taken on a Friday, when the House rises early To give a whole week at a stretch to one Bill might well cramp the Government's style on other matters A day on the floor of the House (about 4 p.m.-I0 p.m.) is worth neaki three sittings in Standing Committee. Further, the House may sit past 10 p.m. on one or more of the Report nights. There should, therefore, be a fair amount of time available for seeing what the Minister is willing to do on the many matters he has agreed to reconsider during the Committee Stage.


comments powered by Disqus