§ MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)To ask the Lord-Advocate if any instructions were sent from the Scotch Office to local authorities with reference to reconsideration which might be made by them with reference to the regulation of motor traffic, and what were the nature of the same if such were sent; and how many applications have been received from local authorities in Scotland, and the number approved and refused.
(Answered by Mr. Scott Dickson.) The Scottish Office has no power to issue instructions in the matter; but the policy of the Department has been not to make restrictive regulations without ascertaining whether local authorities have realised the considerable power of control conferred by the terms of the first section of the Act, and the duty laid upon them to erect sign-posts at dangerous corners, cross roads, and precipitous places, where necessary, under Section 10 of the Act, and various communications have been made with a view to ensuring that these points have been fully considered. Thirty-two applications have been received from local authorities; on seven of these regulations have been issued; seven are still under consideration; the rest have either been refused, formally withdrawn, or otherwise not proceeded with.