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Catalogue description Records inherited and created by the Ministry of Transport and successors, Commissions, Tribunals and Inquiries
| Reference: | Division within MT |
|---|---|
| Title: | Records inherited and created by the Ministry of Transport and successors, Commissions, Tribunals and Inquiries |
| Description: |
Records of the commissions, tribunals and inquiries of the Ministry of Transport, established to enforce transport statutes, regulate the means of transport, and investigate accidents, include:
There are several series concerning investigations into the loss of MV Derbyshire:
|
| Date: | 1873-2000 |
| Legal status: | Public Record(s) |
| Language: | English |
| Physical description: | 19 series |
| Administrative / biographical background: |
COMMISSIONS Railway and Canal Commission, 1873-1949 The Railway and Canal Commission was established under the title of the Railway Commission by royal warrant in 1873. Three commissioners were appointed to determine through rates and terminal charges, to sanction agreements between railway companies and canal undertakings and determine disputes involving such bodies, public authorities, members of the public and the Post Office. The commission's powers of arbitration could be exercised at the instance of parties or on reference from the Board of Trade, which had to authorise the hearing of complaints by the public or public authorities. The commissioners also took over from the Board of Trade powers in connection with the approval of working agreements between railway companies and the exercise by such companies of their powers in relation to steam vessels. Following the Railway and Canal Traffic Act 1888 the Commission was reconstituted under the title of the Railway and Canal Commission. The jurisdiction of the commission had been extended in 1878 to cover telegraph installations and operations and in 1893 this was further extended to cover the hours of railway employees. In 1897, arising from their concern with canals, they were empowered to deal with complaints as to the London water supply under the Metropolis Water Act of that year. During the First World War, the government assigned the commission powers under the Defence of the Realm (Acquisition of Land) Act 1916, relating to land requisitioned by government departments. In November 1919 the Home Office took over from the Board of Trade the nomination of commissioners. The concern of the commission with railway rates and charges passed to the Railway Rates Tribunal in 1921. Under the Transport Act 1947 the commission's remaining jurisdiction under various Railway Acts was transferred to the Transport Tribunal. Following the Local Government Act 1948, which repealed its jurisdiction in relation to rating appeals, the commission was abolished by the Railway and Canal Commission (Abolition) Act 1949. Royal Commission on Transport, 1928-1930 The Royal Commission on Transport was appointed by Royal Warrant dated 4 August 1928 to take into consideration the problems arising out of the growth of road traffic and to consider additional measures for its regulation and control. The final meeting of the Commission was held on 19 December 1930. Light Railways Commissioners, 1896-1919 Appointed under the Light Railways Act 1896 to authorise provisionally the construction and working of light railways, so to avoid the cost to promoters of private bill procedures. The Commissioners had power under section 7(1) of the Act to consider objections to proposals for light railways. TRIBUNALS Railway Rates Tribunal, 1921-1947, and Transport Tribunal, 1947-1989 The Railway Rates Tribunal was established under the Railways Act 1921 to complete the general revision of charges begun by the Rates Advisory Committee under the Ministry of Transport Act 1919. It also assumed responsibility for the determination of questions relating to fares and charges heard previously by the Railway and Canal Commission. Under the Local Government Act 1929 and subsequent legislation, the tribunal was required to approve railway freight rebate schemes consequent on the derating of freight transport hereditaments. Its jurisdiction was extended in relation to the carriage of merchandise by the Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933 and, as respects London fares, by the London Passenger Transport Act 1933. Under the Transport Act 1947 the name of the Railway Rates Tribunal was changed to the Transport Tribunal and its terms of reference adjusted to take account of the new conditions created by the nationalisation of transport. In addition to its former powers in connection with rail and road rates and charges and London passenger transport, the tribunal was entrusted with the remaining jurisdiction, under various railway acts, of the High Court and of the the Railway and Canal Commission. In 1951 it took over the jurisdiction of the Road and Rail Appeal Tribunal set up under the Road and Rail Traffic Act 1933 to consider objections to decisions of the licensing authorities in respect of the grant of licences for the carriage of goods by road. The tribunal's powers were limited by the Transport Act 1962 to regulation of London passenger fares, carriage of mail, armed forces and police. The tribunal's control over passenger fares in London was subsequently removed by the Transport (London) Act 1969. Under the Transport Act 1985 an applicant for the grant of a public service vehicle operator's licence had a right of appeal to the tribunal against any decision of the traffic commissioner. In 1989 responsibility for the tribunal passed to the Lord Chancellor's Department. Road and Rail Traffic Appeal Tribunal, 1933-1951 The Road and Rail Traffic Appeal Tribunal was appointed under the 1933 Act to examine road haulage and to establish a licensing procedure for goods vehicles. The Tribunal ceased to exist in 1951. Its functions were taken over by the Transport Tribunal. London Passenger Transport Arbitration Appeal Tribunal, 1933-1936 The London Passenger Transport Arbitration Appeal Tribunal was established by the London Passenger Transport Act 1933, which set up a London Passenger Transport Board and transferred to it various transport undertakings operating in London and adjacent districts. The tribunal's function was to determine the consideration to be given for certain transfers of undertakings, compensation in respect of interests affected, and other matters arising out of the act. The chairman and members of the tribunal were appointed by the lord chancellor. The tribunal was dissolved in 1936. Transport Arbitration Tribunal, 1947-1957 The Transport Arbitration Tribunal was established by the Transport Act, 1947 to look into the appeals of canal and railway and road haulage company owners whose property was taken into public ownership by the Transport Act of 1947. The Tribunal was abolished in 1957. INQUIRIES Under section 7 of the Regulation of Railways Act 1871, the Secretary of State for Transport may be empowered to appoint a formal inquiry to investigate into the causes and circumstances attending transport accidents. |
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