ABSTRACT
In 1930 the licensing of passenger road services was taken away by the Road Traffic Act from local authorities and given to the traffic commissioners set up in twelve large regions. The licensing authorities are appointed by the Minister of Transport and are subject to his general directions. The chairman of each body is a full-time officer who holds office during Her Majesty’s pleasure. In 1936, 3,500 miles of trunk road, forming part of the national system of routes for through traffic, were transferred from the local highway authorities to the Minister of Transport, who was henceforth made entirely responsible for their maintenance, repair and improvement. The loss of the hospital service was a far more serious blow to local government than roads. In 1948, however, an important change occurred which had nothing to do with the transfer of public assistance functions from local authorities to a national organ.
