Urgency over chemical loads
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• Urgent Ministerial talks about ways of lessening the dangers when chemicals are carried by road are expected as a result of two acid spillages on M6, one of which led to the death of a wwnan.
The initiative, writes our Parliamentary correspondent, is being taken by Mr John Peyton, the Minister for Transport Industries.
He has called for reports on the two accidents involving acid tankers, which occurred within three weeks of each other.
When he has read the reports Mr Peyton will decide whether anything can or should be done to limit, or place under stricter control, the carriage by road of dangerous chemicals. Before he makes up his mind he will have talks with the Home Office.
As Transport Minister, Mr Peyton has general supervision of everything connected with roads and vehicles — but the Home Office has special responsibility for "dangerous substances" and their handling.
Mr Peyton is anxious to get concerted action in this field, where the Government has been accused of dragging its feet, and ignoring schemes which could help to reduce the dangers to the drivers and the When the Commons resume towards the end of this month several MPs are likely to ask what progress has been made, and they will not let the matter rest until they get a satisfactory answer.