In the Commons Last Week
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Widely Varying Topics of Transport Interest
FROM OUR PARLIAMENTARY CORRESPONDENT SECURITY OF VEHICLES
THE great risks which had to be run by I commercial vehicle operators who could not obtain adequate insurance cover against the theft of the goods they carried were emphasized in the Commons last week by Mr. Eric Johnson (Cons., Blackley).
After-dark cover was excluded within 15 miles of Charing Cross, unless vehicles were in a locked garage or in kpark with an attendant. constantly on duty, he told Mr. David Renton, Minister of State at the Home Office. There was simply not a sufficient supply of such places, he pointed out, and the result was that, with inadequate cover, one severe loss would drive a haulier out of business altogether.
In view of the large number of thefts, what steps did the Minister propose to take to deal with the matter, asked Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Renton replied that it was primarily the responsibility of the owner to protect his vehicle against theft, but the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, in consultation with representatives of the operators, was paying special attention to this problem.
The police generally were very ready to advise owners about precautions which could be taken, added the Minister. Any question of insurance was between the insurance company and the owner.
As far as the security of vehicles depended on more off-street parking, he invited Mr. Johnson's attention to the increased opportunities which Mr. Marples, the Transport Minister, with the focal authorities. was providing.
OVERNIGHT STREET PARKING THE campaign by London M.P.s to I obtain a ban on overnight parking of heavy lorries in residential districts of the capital was resumed, with a claim that this practice increased fire risks.
This point was put forward by Mr. Eric Fletcher (Lab., Islington East), who pointed out that the parking impeded the movement of fire engines. What steps was the Home Secretary taking in tD.e matter, he asked.
Mr. Renton recalled that the Minister of Transport had appointed a working party to study the problem of street parking by commercial vehicles, and he added that the investigators had been asked to consider the fire risk.
The Metropolitan Commissioner of Police, who was represented on the working party, assured him that the–police, as far as their other commitments allowed, took what action they could to maintain free passage for other vehicles. said Mr. Renton.
TRAINING TRAFFIC ENGINEERS NAB. ERNEST MARPLES, the TransAVI port Minister, announced that he is to have further discussions with local authorities about their making the fullest_ use of the facilities available in universities and technical colleges for training traffic engineers. He recalled that last December his department sent to all local highway authorities a memorandum giving advice on the contribution which traffic engineers could make to the smooth flow of traffic. The document had also suggested the need for the authorities to have staff trained in traffic engineering.
BRAKE EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
THE Minister of Transport is also reviewing the law governing the effectiveness of brakes to see whether it needs to be strengthened. He announced this in the Commons last week after Commander J. S. Kerans (Cons., Hartlepool) had 'called for an increase in the statittory requirements regarding tests of brakes on lorries and similar vehicles.
OVERLOADED ROADS
THE frustration created among car drivers who were compelled to do the creep" behind the modern "desert caravans of slow-moving lorries was one of the Major factors in creating serious road accidents, said Mr. Harry Courlay (Lab., Kirkcaldy).
He urged that quick measures should be taken to speed up the flow of traffic between Fife and Glasgow, and made a special plea for work to start on the Bonny-bridge and Larbert by-pass.
It was hoped to authorize a start on the by-pass in about two years' time, replied Mr. John Maclay. Secretary of State for Scotland. The necessary trunk road Order had been made. He was aware, from very personal experience in recent weeks, of the problems of this section of road, but it must take its place among other priorities, Answering Mr. Hector Hughes (Lab., Aberdeen North), the Minister sa for the present, priority in lari road improvements in Scotland ha given, to the routes in the cent south which carried the heaviest of industrial traffic.
INDIVISIBLE LOADS
DURING the 12 months September 30, traffic patrols Metropolitan Police provided escorts for abnormal indivisible Giving this information in the Co last week., Mr. Renton added tho escorts required 18,060 hours of duty.
Mr. Simon Wingfield Digby Dorset West). who had asked I figures, wondered whether there danger that the provision of tlservice might encourage these k go by road when they could go He asked Mr. Renton to at least that the police saw that these low moved at a convenient time and so as not to cause unnecessary con, It was impossible to say whethe services did encourage goodsto road, replied Mr. Renton. At any it was for the user of the trans decide that, The work of the ea this matter, for which the public paid, was of great benefit to road t
Mr. Ernest Popplewell (Lab.. castle West) claimed that thes difficult loads caused considerable venience to other road users. The Office should give very serious al to the matter, with a view to ass': guiding these loads on to a differei of transport which would not it to the same degree with the o convenience of the general public The police did give advice. t Mr. Renton. They tried to obstruction as much as they I could, and gave a great deal of tho the matter.
"It is remarkable what large have to be carried which mostly a go by road, and. bearing in ml assistance given by the police. remarkable how little obstructio cause." he added.