§ 54. Mr. EDEasked the Minister of Transport if it is proposed to establish an experimental section of road surfacing on the Kingston by-pass road; and, if so, if the National Physics Laboratory will supervise the construction and watch the results?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONNegotiations are in progress with a view to laying test sections of various types of surfacing materials on the Kingston by-pass. The work will be supervised and the experiments conducted by the Experimental Branch of my Department.
§ Mr. EDEWill my hon. Friend say whether in this and similar cases his Department acts in conjunction with the National Physical Laboratory?
§ Mr. MORRISONYes, I have already said so.
§ Sir GEORGE PENNYIs it contemplated to put down a section of rubber road in view of its great durability as compared with other surfaces?
§ Mr. MORRISONThat is a matter for consideration. There is the cost of the rubber and the supply of the material to be taken into account.
§ Sir G. PENNYIs not rubber a British material?
§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHIn resurfacing roads will the Minister of Transport consider the question of not tarring roads for miles on end without putting on pebbling to the great inconvenience of the travelling public?
§ Mr. MORRISONThat is one of the points on the question of road surface which is now under consideration.