The following Notice of Motion stood upon the Paper in the name of the Minister of Transport (Colonel ASHLEY):— That it be an Instruction to all Committees to which Bills containing provisions restricting competition with road transport services provided or to be provided by the promoters, or prejudicing the impartial exercise by a licensing authority of their functions with regard to the issue of licences to ply for hire with omnibuses, have been or may be referred during the present Session, that they do leave out such provisions as aforesaid.

The House will remember with regard to this Motion, standing in the name of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the Minister of Transport, that when it appeared first on the Paper, through a printer's error, it was difficult to form a reasoned opinion upon it. On its appearance on the Paper yesterday, I asked that it should be adjourned, so that I might give it further consideration. I have now given it most careful consideration, and I have come to the conclusion that it raises questions dealing with general policy which ought not to be brought up at the time of Private Business.