asked the Minister of Transport what was the total number of vehicles operated by British Road Services on 15th October, 1964.

The Transport Holding Company informs me that at the end of September, 1964, the nearest convenient date, the road haulage undertakings it controlled owned about 15,700 powered vehicles—rigid and articulated—and 7,800 additional trailers.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total number of vehicles operated by British Road Services at the latest convenient date.

The Transport Holding Company informs me that at the end of September, 1965, the road haulage undertakings it controlled owned about 18,100 powered vehicles—rigid and articulated—and about 8,600 additional trailers.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the total number of vehicles taken over by British Road Ser- vices by acquisition of the companies involved; and what has been the cost to British Road Services, since 15th October, 1964.

It would not be in the commercial interest of the Transport Holding Company to disclose the number of vehicles acquired. On the question of the price paid for the businesses concerned, the position is not materially different from that stated in the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. Francis Noel-Baker) on 2nd August.