§ 49. Colonel YATEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the general consensus of opinion expressed in support of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission on London Traffic in 1905 by such bodies as the London Society, the London County Council, the Institution of Civil Engineers, and others, and by many witnesses before the Motor Traffic Commission now sitting, he will take steps to appoint a Traffic Board and empower them to adopt a general road scheme for London while it is still possible to do so in connection with the town-planning schemes at present under consideration; or, if not, what steps he proposes to take to secure the necessary outlets for the proposed new main roads at present available on the outskirts of London, which will be blocked by the various town-planning schemes if the latter are allowed to mature independently?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI am aware of the situation in London and its outskirts and of the urgent importance of the traffic problem to which the hon. and gallant Member calls attention. As the Prime Minister indicated, however, in reply to a previous question from him, the main difficulties with regard to the adoption of a general road scheme are pecuniary ones, which I fear would not be removed by the appointment of a Traffic Board. While these difficulties are serious, and while I am not at the moment able to suggest a way of overcoming them, I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that the question is not being lost sight of.