43.
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet in a position to announce the names of the Transport Consultative Committee for the London area.
In reply to a Question by my hon. Friend on 21st February, I said that I was considering the setting up of a Transport Users' Consultative Committee for London. I have now decided to set up such a Committee to cover both passenger and goods traffic, in the area of the London Transport Executive. Steps will be taken shortly to consult representative bodies regarding the appointment of members, under the procedure prescribed in Section 6 of the Transport Act. 1947.
Can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that among the bodies to be consulted will be the North London Traffic Facilities Committee, which is representative of North London local authorities?
No, Sir, I cannot at this stage give an undertaking on what bodies will be consulted, but if they represent local authorities as such they would certainly have representation.
When this body is set up, will it be consulted about the number of people who can travel in buses?
The hon. Gentleman, who was a Member of the Standing Committee on the Transport Bill, knows very well that that was one of the purposes for which these committees are being established.