Next Stage?
Transport (No. 2) Bill, 1959—First Stage.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to make further provision in relation to transport.—(Minister for Transport and Power.)
Surely not?
Sorry. It will be circulated early next week.
What does this do?
It bring the transport legislation into line with the proposed change in the method of assessing road vehicle duty.
This is a corollary of yesterday's discussion?
Yes.
To enable people to carry barrels of water?
It enables them to pay from £50,000 to £100,000 more per annum.
No. This is only to prevent any consequential ill effects on licensed hauliers.
Has the previous Transport Bill been signed yet by the President?
Will this mean they will have to pay more?
Possibly.
This is a Bill to adjust the licensed——
The unladen weight.
The weight in a haulier's licence assessed to take account of any change in the weight of his vehicle under the new method of weighing.
It means that £100,000 more is being gathered by the clause. So the Minister told us yesterday.
Not from the licensed hauliers.
Will the Taoiseach defend yesterday's motion, because I voted for it? It is to prevent people getting away with £100,000. That is why I voted for it.
In any case the Bill will be circulated next week. When does the Minister propose to take it?
As soon after circulation as possible.
The Minister must name the date.
It is desirable it should be passed quickly. The effect of the motion passed yesterday is to bring the new tax regulations into operation on the 1st January. As from that date it could be that some licensed hauliers will be operating vehicles that are slightly in excess of the weight of vehicles they are entitled to operate. The purpose of this Bill is to adjust that situation.
When the Taoiseach was Minister for Industry and Commerce he said he was prepared to increase the unladen weight to meet modern conditions and modern types of vehicles. Is that still the practice?
The right of the Minister for Transport and Power under the existing Act is to adjust the authorised weight of vehicles in case of hardship and it would require the exercise of a personal decision on each licence. In view of the change that is being made in relation to the method of assessing the weight of a lorry for tax purposes, it is necessary to have an omnibus adjustment of lorry weights for the purpose of avoiding the situation under which licensed hauliers might be acting illegally.
I understand the intention is to adjourn at the end of next week?
Yes.
There is a great deal of legislation still to be disposed of. Is it seriously suggested that in addition to that, a Bill we have not seen should be presented next week and that the Government hope to get all Stages before we adjourn?
It is a one clause Bill and it is required before the 1st January to prevent people being put into a position in which they might be acting illegally from that date.
The Minister for Transport and Power said a minute ago it will not even be circulated until next week.
It will be circulated before Wednesday next.
I think somebody talked about rusty engines recently.
These are very modern vehicles. This Bill could not be passed until the motion was passed.
Is it suggested that the Bill will be circulated next week and passed through all Stages?
We shall have it available to the Deputy in good time.
The Taoiseach is aware that we have indicated through the Whips' Office that we wish to have a Debate on the Adjournment.
Do I take it now that the Taoiseach is not merely the engine but the train as well?
And a superannuated station master as well.
I shall see that the Bill is circulated as soon as possible.
Second Stage ordered for Wednesday, 9th December, 1959.