§ 21. Viscount CURZONasked the Minister of Transport whether the classification of roads is as yet complete; if not, when it will be; whether the details will be communicated to Parliament in a White Paper; whether any legislation will be required as a result of the classification; whether any start has yet been made with the reform of the sign and danger posting of the roads of the country; if so, to what extent; and, if not, whether it will be possible to do anything in connection with this subject in the absence of legislation?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe preliminary scheme for the classification of roads in England and Wales and Scotland is complete and will be operative during the current financial year. Some particulars of the scheme are set out in Appendix 6 to the 10th Annual Report on the Administration of the Road Improvement Fund, which was presented to the House on 15th February, and additional information upon the subject will be given in the next Report. No legislation is necessary in connection with this classification. As regards the fifth part of the Noble Lord's question, a commencement has been made in co-operation with local authorities with the reform of the direction and motor signal posting of the roads of the country upon a standardised basis. No returns are yet available to show the progress made. I hope that it will be possible to do much to improve the sign and danger posting without legislation, but additional powers may be necessary to secure the removal of unauthorised signs put up privately.