asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he expects to receive the Report of the British Transport Commission for 1953; and when it will be available to hon. Members.

The British Transport Commission inform me that owing to the preoccupation of its small headquarters staff with important matters arising out of the Transport Act, 1953, including preparation of the railways reorganisation scheme, the completion of its Report for 1953 has been delayed. It is, however, hoped to send the Report to the printers next month.