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Taking the Sting Out False Economy to Cut Roads of Tail Lights Programme, say M.P.s
Page 67
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From our Parliamentary Correspondent
I F the cuts in public spending implied during last week's speeches by the Chancellor of the Exchequer lead to a slowing down in the roads programme, the Government will face strong criticism from its own ranks, as well as from the Opposition.
There is a strong feeling at Westminster that a modern system of roads is vital if British industry is to expand freely and at the same time keep down costs. Any cuts in the road building programme would be a false economy, think many M.P.s.
A warning note was sounded last week by Mr. Gerald Nabarro (Cons.. Kidderminster). Speaking in the Commons, he stressed " the important productive contribution " made by motorways, and asked the Minister of Transport to represent to the Chancellor that the new roads programme should not in any way be curtailed. If possible, added Mt Nabarro, the programme should be expanded in the interests of production and of our export industries.
He reminded the Minister of his comments about the British Road Federa
Graduated Driving Licences
THE Minister of Transport is to be taken up on his hint that he might favour graduated driving licences. Last week he said in the Commons that this system might be a better idea than graduated driving tests—and on July 26 Mr. John Peyton (Cons., Yeovil) -will ask him if he will introduce a system of graduated licences which would have regard to the speed and power of the vehicle.
The idea of tests which would make some allowance for the speed and power of different vehicles is. however, being kept under review by the Minister.
Some form of further test might well contribute to road safety, he said last week.
tion's report on the road programme. Would Mr. Marples state whether it would be possible for him to announce before August any further plans for large-scale road developments over the next live years. asked Mr. Nabarro.
Mr. Marples replied that he had already announced motorway starts costing over £461m. in all this year. He had also informed highway authorities that he was prepared to consider classified road schemes over the next three years costing more than £100m. in grants. At present he had no further announcement to make, said the Minister.
From the Opposition Front Bench, Mr. George Strauss asked whether the Minister was satisfied that the present road programme was adequate for the needs of the country.
Mr. Strauss had to remember that it was not only a question of cash allocation, but also of the resources available, Mr. Marples retorted. Recently, in certain parts of the country where there was full employment, it had proved difficult to get suitable tenders.
Parking Dangers
DUR1NG 1958 there were 1,394 accidents involving fatal or serious injuries in which parked goods vehicles were concerned, said the Minister of Transport in the Commons last week.
Mr. Martin Lindsay (Cons., Solihull) asked him bow many accidents had been caused by traffic running into the back of stationary lorries, but was told no separate figures for this type of accident were available.
NO CONTROL OVER FARES
IN the Commons last week, the Minister of Transport turned down a suggestion that he should introduce amending legislation "to ensure more effective Parliamentary control over railway and omnibus fares."