The general feeling that the Transport Bill as drafted made
the Minister of Ways and Communications too much of an autocrat led Mr. Bonar Law on Tuesday to promise a, further modification of the Bill. If Sir Eric Geddes formulates a scheme costing a million, he will have to obtain the sanction of the House of Commons before carrying the scheme into operation. We are by no means sure that the minimum is not far too high. It is true that in these days politicians talk of a million pounds as if it were no more than a pound of tea, but it would take the State a very long time to save a million on its ever-growing expendi- ture. The point is that neither-Sir Eric Geddes nor any one else ought to be able to commit the country to large and costly undertakings without first consulting Parliament and gaining its approval. The reckless methods of war must not be con- tinued when peace returns.
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