asked the Minister of Transport (1) in how many cases has application for confirmation of compensation agreements of road haulage undertakings been made to the Transport Arbitration Tribunal; and how many cases have been confirmed;

The number of cases in which applications for confirmation of compensation agreements had been filed with the Transport Arbitration Tribunal by 31st March, 1951, was 22. The tribunal had determined the amount of compensation payable in two cases, each over £20,000, and these have been completed and paid.

Is the Minister aware that these cases are taking over seven months to settle, which means that the Government have the use of a very large amount of capital which could be put to better uses by the private owner?

This has not been the fault of the Transport Commission. Both sides have been rather reluctant to proceed until the Tribunal have determined certain principles.