HC Deb 22 March 1944 vol 398 cc849-51
63. Mr. Petherick

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport, having regard to the fact that the Emergency Powers (Defence) Regulated Areas Order (S.R. & O., No. 153, of 1944) confers on Allied soldiers the powers of a British constable or soldier in the direction of traffic in certain circumstances and thus raises a matter of constitutional importance, he will withdraw the Order and re-issue it in the form of a Defence Regulation which can be debated in this House.

64. Major Lyons

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport the purpose of S.R. & O. No. 153 of 1944, Regulation of Traffic (Amendment) Order, dated 15th February, 1944.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Order No. 153 enables the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief to decide, in consultation with the regional transport commissioner, to post members of Allied Forces on the roads in certain areas to direct the traffic, etc., as he may now decide to post members of His Majesty's Forces, when it is necessary to do so for purposes connected with naval, military or air force operations. I do not understand my hon. Friend's suggestion that these arrangements may involve a question of constitutional importance.

Mr. Petherick

Are we to understand that this gives the right to Allied armies to close the roads in certain territories occupied by them in this country?

Mr. Noel-Baker

What it means is that a British general and a British regional transport commissioner may delegate powers to Allied soldiers to regulate traffic, when this is necessary for operational reasons.

Mr. Petherick

Is it the case that an Allied officer may, in fact, close roads in certain areas occupied by Allied forces in Great Britain?

Mr. Noel-Baker

Yes, Sir, if he is given power to do so by a British general and a British regional transport commissioner.

Major Lyons

Is it not a fact that this will give power to post on traffic control somebody whose rule of the road is different from our own, and so invite chaos of all sorts?

Mr. Noel-Baker

This is a power which we exercised in France and Belgium for nearly three years. It is the inevitable result of being a base for warlike operations. We have not the man-power to enable us to control traffic, and if the Allies did not do it there would be utter chaos.