§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty Government whether, in view of their refusal to increase the speed limit for heavy commercial vehicles, they will take steps to see that the speed limit of 20 m.p.h. is enforced in all areas.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (LORD LLOYD)My Lords, the enforcement of speed limits is a matter for the police, and Her Majesty's Government are not in a position to give the police directions as to the manner in which they should carry out their responsibilities for the enforcement of the law. Her Majesty's Government understand, however, that the police, within the limits of their available resources, already give considerable attention to checking serious infringements of the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, while agreeing that the matter of the enforcement of the law is entirely one for the police, may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government are completely oblivious of the statement made by the Road Research Board, that this particular law is disregarded by over 90 per cent. of the drivers of heavy motor vehicles; and does he not think that there must be some reason for this? After all, Her Majesty's Government would not allow wholesale disregard of the law in this respect, would they?
LORD GIFFORDMy Lords, arising out of the noble Lord's answer, is he not aware that there is a great deal of public opinion that this 20 m.p.h. speed limit is a farce, and will he not do his best to get it raised as soon as possible?
LORD LLOYDMy Lords, if I may deal first with the question of my noble friend Lord Howe, I am not clear as to how exactly his statistics are compiled. All I can tell him is that in 1951 there were 30,981 prosecutions with respect to goods vehicles for exceeding limits of speed, and in 1952, 30,027 prosecutions, so I do not think it is reasonable to say that the police have taken no action in these matters. With regard to the question of my noble friend Lord Gifford, I do not think that falls within the scope of this particular Question. All I have been asked, and all I can answer, is the question of the enforcement of the law. As to whether or not this is an appropriate speed limit, is not within the scope of this Question.
§ EARL HOWEMay I ask the noble Lord whether it is not a fact that the Home Office receive copies of all Parliamentary papers, including the Report of the Road Research Board; and if that is so, how is it that the noble Lord says that he does not know where my statistics come from?
LORD LLOYDThe noble Lord must have misheard me. I did not say that I did not know where his statistics came from. I said that I did not know in what manner the statistics were arrived at.
§ LORD CALVERLEYMy Lords, arising out of the original Question and Reply will the noble Lord, Lord Lloyd, bring to the notice of the Home Office the desirability of recruiting the noble Earl, who was such a splendid "poacher" in the past, as a "speed cop," now that he has turned into a "sainted" individual?
LORD LLOYDMy Lords, I will certainly see that the noble Lord's suggestion is brought to the notice of my right honourable friend.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, will the noble Lord say whether Her Majesty's Government have received any advice from the police forces as to the retention of this regulation as it is at present?
LORD LLOYDI am afraid that I cannot answer that Question offhand, but I will certainly let the noble Lord know.