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Road Transport Topics in Parliament

21st February 1936
Page 55
Page 55, 21st February 1936 — Road Transport Topics in Parliament
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

By Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent

LIMITING HOLIDAY TRAFFIC IN SCOTLAND. •

PROTESTS against the Minister's decision in limiting the holiday' traffic facilities on the roads between Glasgow and Aberdeen were referred to by Mr. T. Johnston. This decision was taken against the opinion of the North and South Scotland Traffic Commissioners, and against the advice of the reporter for the Ministry, Mr. Oswald Dykes. WC.

Mr. Johnston asked the Minister if he were aware that over considerable portions of the area affected there were no railway facilities, and whether, pending any decision in the Law Courts as to competency, he would continue the holiday road-transport facilities which had operated to the public convenience over the area in question for several years past.

Mr. Hore-Belisha said that the Orders made on these appeals were the subject of proceedings in the Court of • Session, and had not yet bt-en implemented. As the matter was sub judice, he could make no statement.

UNCONTROLLED RAILWAY LEVEL CROSSINGS.

REFERRING to the subject of uncontrolled level crossings used by heavy lorries over main railway lines, Mr. Hore-Belisha stated that a special committee had been appointed by the railway general managers to consider recommendations on this subject.

Mr. Churchill asked the number of uncontrolled railway crossings, used by heavy-lorry traffic, which intersected the main L.N.E.R. line from Cambridge to London, and what steps were being taken to lessen their danger.

Mr. Hore-Belisha stated that there were six, and that at Wormley crossing the company had agreed to provide the necessary equipment to control the gates from the signal box.

IMPORTANCE OF DRIVERS' HOURS REGULATIONS.

IN view of recent accidents caused by

lorry drivers working long hours, Mr. Hepworth wished to know what steps were being taken to enforce the provisions relating to this matter.

During the past year, Mr. HoreBelisha replied, many convictions had been obtained and he was hopeful that the public attention drawn to the matter would help to impress upon all concerned the importance of observing the regulations.

STOKE-ON-TRENT BUS FARES.

ATTENTION was called by Mr. E. Smith to the public resentment caused by the refusal, by the Traffic Commissioners for the West Midland area, of Stoke-on-Trent corporation's application for a reduction of bus fares, and asked the Minister if he would give special consideration to the case prepared on behalf of the public by the City Council of Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle. Mr. Hore-Belisha said he bad no power to intervene unless an appeal was made to him under the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

ADVANTAGES ENJOYED BY STEAMERS.

Frig Ministei was asked by Mr. 1 George Hall, the number of steam vehicles licensed in 1931 and the latest available figures, and whether he proposed to take steps to arrest the decline in the use of steamers, in view of the efficiency of the latest models and the importance of this outlet for coal.

Mr. Hore-Belisha gave, for 1931, the number 6,784 as compared with 2,081 for 1935. Steam vehicles, he added, already had the advantages of the use of tax-free fuel, and, if weighing over six tons, of lower licence duties than vehicles of similar unladen weight run on petrol or heavy oil, whilst they enjoyed a special concession in respect of permitted maximum laden weight.

PROVISIONAL LICENCES FOR LEARNERS.

I N the Bill presented by Mr. Storey

relating to the issue of driving licences, it is proposed to amend Section 31 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, which provides that a person shall not drive a heavy goods vehicle unless he is licensed, under that section or under Part IV of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to drive all types of single-deck public-service vehicles.

The new Bill provides for the granting of a provisional licence to enable the applicant to learn to drive a heavy goods vehicle.

Another clause amends the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to provide that drivers of certain vehicles used on the road only when passing from one ground to another, shall not be required to undergo a test.


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