HC Deb 22 March 1937 vol 321 c2560
74. Mr. Day

asked the Minister of Transport which of the highway authorities have not as yet complied with the suggestions issued to them in the circular forwarded by his Department for the purpose of having all roads treated with an effective method of surface treatment in order to prevent skidding; and whether there has been a noticeable decrease in accidents attributable to this cause?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Captain Austin Hudson)

I have had no reports from my officers of unwillingness on the part of highway authorities to use skid-resisting materials for surfacing schemes assisted with grants from the Road Fund. In the report on Fatal Road Accidents in 1933, 290 fatal accidents were alleged to have been caused by the skidding of motor vehicles. The corresponding figure for 1935 was 162, showing a reduction of 44 per cent.

Mr. Day

Has the advice given to the highway authorities by the Minister in the circular been generally followed?

Captain Hudson

Yes, Sir, it has.