HC Deb 27 October 1952 vol 505 cc1547-8
1. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Transport what steps he is taking to abolish the 20 m.p.h. limit for certain commercial road vehicles and standardise the speed limit at 30 m.p.h.

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Alan Lennox-Boyd)

I am impressed by the arguments for increasing the speed limit for certain commercial goods vehicles from 20 to 30 m.p.h., but I do not consider it opportune to propose such a change at the present moment.

Mr. Nabarro

Is my right hon. Friend aware that manufacturers' organisations, the trade union and the Committee on Road Safety, together with representative opinion on both sides of this House in the last Parliament, gave general assent to the abolition of this 20 m.p.h. limit and standardisation at 30 m.p.h.; and in view of these considerations would not my right hon. Friend consider more speedy action in the matter?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I should be very interested and glad to hear of trade union views in favour of this proposal.

Mr. Pannell

Would the Minister consider the present stupidity of allowing human freight to travel at 30 m.p.h. while an unladen vehicle is restricted to 20 m.p.h., with all the dangers that arise from overtaking; and in view of his answer to the first supplementary question, would he not consider, in the interests of general national productivity, bringing the two sides together to negotiate an agreement on the outstanding matters between the employers and the trade union?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I quite agree that it is rather an illogical situation, and I should be delighted to do anything I can, on this and many other issues, to bring all sides together to achieve a sensible solution.

Mr. McLeavy

Would the right hon. Gentleman assure us that before he takes any action on the lines indicated by the Question he will first consult the two sides of industry to get their views upon the matter?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Certainly.