Wednesday's Questions in the House
Page 13
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THE snags of operating the spot checks on smoking vehicles which have been held this year were explained to the Commons on Wednesday by Mr'. Marples, the Minister of Transport. One difficulty, he said, was that, after the first half-hour, drivers who had been through the check operated a system of signals to warn others.
Asked about his plans for combating smoking vehicles, Mr. Marples said he was hoping to get an efficient measuring device; when that happened there could be successful prosecutions.
From Mr, E. L. Mallalieu (Labour, Brigg) came the suggestion that drivers might report vehicles emitting black smoke, and there could be prosecutions after perhaps six reports.
Pedestrian-operated milk floats are to be "vehicles.' no longer and their drivers will not need licences. Announcing this. Mr. Marptes said he would lay the appropriate regulations before the House as quickly as possible. And he warned: "I shall watch the situation closely, and if Toad safety should suffer I Will not hesitate to reimpose the appropriate control."
Mr. Marples hopes to make an announernent about the projected lorry route through Islington early in the New Year. He said in the Commons that he was thoroughly examining all aspects of the proposals in the light of the many detailed comments he had received.
About £17 million was received during 1961 from the licensing of goods-vehicles
over 3 tons. unladen weight, said Mr. Marples. Answering Mr. Francis NoelBaker (Labonr, Swindon), the MiniSter said the average annual mileage of goods vehicles of between 3 and 5 tons was about 20,000.
During the 12 months ended September, 2,271 goods vehicles were involved in fatal acoidents. Mr. Marples, who gave this figure to the Commons, said it was 24 per cent of the total number of vehicles involved in fatal accidents, The Ministry of Transport is considering proposals for prohibiting the use of certain reads in Lichfield by goods vehicles of more than 3 tons unladen weight unless they require access to premises in the city, said Mr. Marples.