asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) the number of road transport goods vehicles which were operated in the direct ownership of the Great Southern Railways on (a) 1st September, 1942, and (b) 1st September, 1943; and (2) the number of privately-owned road transport goods vehicles which were hired or taken over by the Great Southern Railways on (a) 1st January, 1943, and (b) 13th September, 1943.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Transport Goods Vehicles.
The information which the Deputy requires is as follows:—
(1) Merchandise road transport vehicles owned by the Great Southern Railways Company, licensed and in use—On 1st September, 1942, 476; on 1st September, 1943, 471. (2) Merchandise road transport vehicles hired by the Great Southern Railways Company—On the 1st January, 1943, 18; on the 13th September, 1943, 164.
The number of vehicles so hired by the company at mid-September, 1942, was 83.
Is the Minister aware that where he has permitted the railway company to take over lorries or other forms of road transport the cost of essential transport has been substantially increased?
What is the Deputy referring to?
I am referring to the fact that where lorries or other road transport has been taken over by the railway company, the cost of transport has increased substantially. Is the Minister aware of that?
On the contrary: I am aware that the cost of public transport, has been substantially reduced where the reorganisation has been carried out.
Does the Minister realise that the charges for private lorries, taken over by the railway company, are substantially higher than they were previously, and that the railway companies are making a substantial profit as a result of taking them over, and does the Minister think that that is desirable?
The charges by the company for the transportation of goods have been substantially reduced in every area where transport reorganisation has been carried out.
I cannot agree with the Minister.