The Lords and the Transport Bill
There was a time when it seemed just possible that, faced with the hastily drafted and inadequately debated Transport Bill, the House of Lords would take its life in its hands and send it back for further examination. That was never more than the ghost of an idea and it was soon laid. There was first of all the remote political possibility that the Government would accept the challenge by going to the country on the issue. Remote as it was, it was more than enough to settle any uncertainties in the Conservative Party, for the simple reason that the Government would stand more chance of success this year than in three years' time. Then came the im- portant concession, withdrawing the threat of nationalisation from the holders of " C " Licences for road vehicles. And finally there was the indication in the TOry Industrial Charter that de-nationalisa- tion of the railways would not be attempted. The last possibility of a thajor political fight was gone, and in the Lords' debate on Tuesday both Lord Swinton and Lord Beveridge soon announced that their parties would not divide against the Bill. But the economic argument must go on. The Lords are well qualified to discuss this matter. They are not short of experience and wisdom in transport questions, and a responsible and fruitful committee stage can be ex- pected. There is so much to be done to make this Bill even a tolerable measure, and so little of it was done during its disastrously hurried passage through the Commons, that even within the strict limits to which they have confined themselves, the Lords can hardly fail to make improvements.
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