Minister in Trouble Over Disposal
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THE Minister of Transport faces grave difficulties this week over the Government's policy to allow British Road Services to retain 7,750 general haulage vehicles [writes our political correspondent.
Some 30 or 40 Tory M.P.s are hotly opposed to his decision and they were to take their opposition to the 1922 Committee, which was to meet. the Minister yesterday.
An attempt has been made to erect a bridge of compromise between the Minister and his opponents, hut it has so far failed. It took the form of limiting the unladen weight . of the B.R.S. vehicles instead of their number.
The rebels are angry because such a large part of the trunk services has been offered for sale only in big lots. They say that if it were offered in smaller lots, it could be easily disposed of, They add that they have spent years in campaigning against nationalization of transport, and are now being asked to acquiesce in it for one of the country's most important services. Dis
pleasure has been caused because the Government's announcement was made almost immediately before the summer recess, which gave no adequate time for protest.
The rebels show every sign of being adamant and they arc believed to be sufficiently strong ninuerically to pre
vent the Bill passing if they really dig in their toes. The.Minister himself has
been called to the Cabinet, significantly enough after the meeting of the Tory Transport Committee at which he was present. On that occasion 10 speakers were against him and no one. was inclined to defend him.