Heavy Goods Licence Call Assurance on Bus Luggage
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A DEMAND for the reintroduction of 2-1. the heavy goods vehicle licence was made when the Commons discussed this week's accidents on the fog-bound motorways. It came from Mr. Roger Gresham Cooke (Tory, Twickenham), who pointed out that young men of 21 could now drive 20-tonners on motorways at unlimited .speeds. His suggestion—which was warmly received by M.P.s—received no direct answer from Mr. Marples.
Commenting on the crashes, Mr. Marples said: "It seems clear that this large number of vehicles would not have been involved in crashes if the drivers had not been driving too fast or too close to vehicles ahead in conditions of fog and low visibility."
ACOMPLAINT that only certain forms of public transport could carry invalid chairs and prams was made in the Commons by Mr. Leslie Spriggs (Labour, St. Helens). He asked for an undertaking that when the Minister of Transport was considering whether to allow the closure of railway passenger services he would take this fact into account.
Mr. Thomas Galbraith, the Parliamentary Secretary, replied that buses could carry folding push chairs, hut many could not accommodate prams or rigid invalid chairs. The Minister already took this into account in rail closures, and it was hoped soon to make it possible for buses to tow luggage trailers where it was suitable and safe.