§ 37. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport if he will advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate and report, as early as possible, on the adequacy of the roads to meet modem needs; the conditions created by increasing traffic and speed; and the urgent need to reduce accidents and fear on the roads.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. John Maclay)As regards road safety, I would refer to the answers I gave on 25th February to the right hon. Member for Rochester and Chatham (Mr. Bottomley). The need to improve roads is not in doubt, but must be considered in relation to other claims upon national resources. A Royal Commission to examine this matter would not in my view be justified.
§ Mr. SmithHas the hon. Gentleman consulted the Prime Minister, who I understand is responsible for advising Her Majesty as to whether a Royal Commission should be set up? Has the Prime Minister given consideration to the very serious conditions which now exist on the roads and, if a Royal Commission is not to investigate, can we have a Departmental Committee to investigate?
§ Mr. MaclayI do not think it is usual to disclose what discussions go on in the Government, but I would remind the hon. Member that this whole question is being most seriously studied. One has to be very careful of one's ground before advising a Royal Commission, because urgency is what matters. We are doing everything we can to cut down the number of road accidents.