§ 64. Mr. W. Robertsasked the Minister of Transport whether he can take any steps to secure the fencing of trunk roads through open commons or fells, in view of the frequent losses of sheep killed or maimed by motor cars on such roads?
§ Mr. BurginIt is for the owners of lands adjoining highways to make such provision as they may think necessary to secure the safety of stock. I cannot undertake the erection of fencing on trunk roads in order to relieve the owners of that responsibility.
§ Mr. RobertsIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the hardship to owners of sheep, and that it is a danger to drivers in places where sheep can stray upon trunk roads?
§ Mr. BurginI do not think there is any serious difficulty. Most owners fence their own property if they have any stock of value upon it.
§ Mr. MacquistenIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that right through the Highlands there are long stretches of roads which used to be rough tracks and where he has now put down speedways, and sheep are being killed by the score? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman fence the speedways which he has made?