§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is able to announce any further progress regarding the Rayner report on winter road maintenance since 27 October 1981.
§ Mrs. ChalkerTwo of the recommendations of the Rayner study report into the winter maintenance of motorways and trunk roads—that the Department should issue a statement of service and a code of practice—were immediately accepted by the Government. The documents were subsequently prepared and issued to all the Department's agent authorities in time for the severe winter of 1981–82.
Sir Derek Rayner's other recommendations were referred to Inbucon Management Consultants Limited for inclusion in its study of recurrent maintenance of trunk roads and motorways. Inbucon has now reported and its recommendations are being studied. I shall announce our conclusions as soon as possible.