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Political Chicanery

6th March 1964, Page 43
6th March 1964
Page 43
Page 43, 6th March 1964 — Political Chicanery
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

AGENERAL ELECTION is now less than seven months away, at the very most. Still Mr. Harold Wilson's Socialist Party has no declared policy on transport. As an industry, which has repeatedly been subjected to threats of rcnationalization, road transport must demand that the Socialists commit themselves. Failure on the part of the Labour Party to state their intentions can only, lead to a conclusion that they intend ruthless control of road transport and the realization of every operator's worst fears.

Are the Socialists going (if elected) to renationalize long-distance haulage? Are they going to force traffic artificially on to the railways? Are they going to control C-licensees? Answers must be given. It is political chicanery to do otherwise.

These are the worst nightmares; it is possible that reality would be less terrifying. It seems quite possible that Mr. Wilson does not want to make up his mind without having a top-level inquiry into transport as a whole in Great Britain. He will have various official documents, such as the Geddes, Rochdale, Hall, Buchanan and Beeching reports.

He may even want to appoint a full Royal Commission. Whatever he proposes, The Commercial Motor cannot believe he is so bereft of opinions as the great variety of his followers' remarks would indicate. There may be no official policy, but privately Mr. Wilson must have his own ideas. We know, for instance, that he favours "integration ", whatever that may mean to him.

But whatever the taste of the medicine, however unpleasant, road transport must be told before the election.


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