Minister Introduces Himself to Operators
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" GOODWILL I offer, industry I will devote, knowledge I can only hope to gain." With these words, Mr. E. Leslie Burgin, the new Minister of Transport, introduced himself, last F„riday, to members of A.R.O. Luton Subarea, at their first annual dinner.
He wanted road interests to feel, he said, that they could bring a reasoned case before a business man. Practical steps would have to be taken to overcome the practical problem of road safety.
Referring to the varied duties of the Minister of Transport and the size of his department, he said that the Ministry had a staff of over 2,500 people, and that the Minister had charge of the whole of the main-line railways, docks, harbours, canals, electricity undertak-. ings, trunk roads, ribbon development and traffic control.
Mr. J. F. E. Pye, chairman of A.R.O. MetropolZan Area, stressed the fact that the haulier does not ask for anything to which he is not entitled. He merely asks for the power to expand in the normal way of business, and for security of tenure in the lawful conduct of trade.
Mr. G. E. Scott, chief constable of Luton, whilst not minimizing the serious nature of the accident problem, said that mishaps were becoming less serious in Luton. .
Mr. A. F. Palmer-Phillips, of Vauxhall Motors, Ltd., pointed out that accidents in Oxfordshire had been seduced by 44 per cent, as a result of improving five main roads. The construction of 23 roundabouts at selected points had been followed by a 36-percent. drop in mishaps.
Major Eric Long, A.R.O. political adviser, supported The Commercial Motor call for a Royal Commission to inquire into the 1933 Act. Other speakers were Councillor P. R. Williams, who took the chair, and Mr. H. F. Outen.