§ 38. Captain STRICKLANDasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the difficulty expressed by so many motorists of keeping a proper look out for speed regulation signs on the side of the roads and at the same time an adequate attention to the road itself, particularly at night time, he will give further consideration to the suggestion of marking the road surface to indicate the approach of such restrictive signs?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Captain Austin Hudson)If my hon. and gallant Friend is in a position to adduce fresh evidence which was not before the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs my hon. Friend will willingly consider it. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the question of the position of traffic signs was fully considered by that Committee which reported in May, 1933. On it the various motoring organisations were fully represented, and unanimously recommended that no traffic signs should be used on the carriageway other than white lines, "Look or Turn Left or Right," or, exceptionally, the word "Slow." My hon. Friend's decision to require the "30" sign and an enlarged de-restriction sign to be erected on each side of the carriageway to mark the beginning and end of the roads subject to the speed limit will, I think, substantially meet the point my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.
§ Captain STRICKLANDWas the 30miles-an-hour restriction sign a matter of consideration by this committee; or 806 were they merely referring to existing signs which did not carry with them any penal obligation on the motorist?
§ Captain HUDSONOf course, the 30miles-an-hour sign had not been brought in then. The whole point is that it is extremely expensive to have lettering on the roads as it constantly requires renewal, and there was also a general feeling that it was better to have as little as possible written on the roadway.
§ Captain STRICKLANDHad we not £4,000,000 to meet that expense?