§ 71. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Minister of Transport what public statements on behalf of his Department he has authorised in the past month indicating that accidents cannot be greatly reduced by improving road conditions.
§ Mr. BarnesNone, Sir. Although most accidents result from human error, I have no doubt that road improvements, by eliminating opportunities for error, can reduce accidents.
§ Mr. Dodds-ParkerIs the Minister aware that certain statements by members of his Department about road safety committees not being of much use have caused considerable dissatisfaction in certain quarters, and will he see that this sort of remark is not made in future?
§ Mr. BarnesI am not aware of any statement that road safety committees have no use.
§ The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:
§ 70. Mr. W. ROBSON-BROWN,—To ask the Minister of Transport what changes he is proposing to make in the speed limits imposed upon motor vehicles, including motor cycles, both in congested areas and in the open country.
§ Mr. Robson-BrownOn a point of order. May I have Question No. 70 called, Sir?
§ Mr. SpeakerI called the Question. I shouted at the top of my voice "Mr. Robson-Brown" three times, but the hon. Member was looking towards the far corner of the House. Having called three times, I am not prepared to go back now.
776 More attention must be paid to what is said from the Chair.
§ Sir H. WilliamsOn a point of order. May I say, in fairness to my hon. Friend —I do not know whether there is something wrong with the microphones—that none of us heard his name called, Sir?
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member could have heard quite well, but I was watching him and he was thinking of something entirely different.