Mr. Marples Will Stay As Minister of Transport
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BY OUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
IT is expected that Mr. Ernest Marples will remain at the Ministry of Transport and not be affected by any forthcoming reshuffle of the Government. This has essentially been a year of preparation for Mr. Marples. His Road Traffic and Road Improvements Bill has been going through Parliament, and not until it is law can he introduce traffic schemes under the " blanket ". powers which the measure will confer upon him.
Moreover, his traffic engineering unit has been in the process of organization within the Ministry, and has yet to produce detailed schemes. Next year will therefore be the "Marples Year," and many things can be expected to emerge.
The Ministry might, however, be altered. It is quite possible that it may be split up on the ground that Mr. Marples has far too many preoccupations at present. Railways, ships and roads combined are an enormous burden. Roads by _themselves are a full-time job.