HC Deb 03 February 1954 vol 523 cc357-8
26. Mr. E. Fletcher

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what changes he proposes to introduce in the Highway Code.

Mr. Molson

We hope that the new Highway Code will be more concise and better arranged than the present version. There will be many changes of detail and the Code will be brought up to date.

Mr. Fletcher

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that it might do something to reduce the appalling toll of road accidents if this new, modified and more concise Highway Code were published at an early date?

Mr. Molson

We are anxious to publish it as soon as possible. It has been very carefully revised and we thought it more important to make certain that the new Highway Code would be really satisfactory than to speed up its production before it was thoroughly well revised. We are hoping to publish it in the fairly near future.

29. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when it is proposed to introduce the new Highway Code, in view of the steadily-growing number of accidents.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have now received most of the comments of representative organisations on the draft of the new Highway Code which was circulated. In the light of these a final text is now being prepared. I shall make every effort to issue this as soon as possible.

Mr. Freeman

In view of the fact that there were 582 deaths in the last full month and over 20,000 casualties, does the Minister not think that the Highway Code, a very important factor in the prevention of accidents, should be issued at the earliest possible moment? Will he not see what can be done to call attention in that Code to the increase in the number of accidents, so that everybody will realise their responsibility?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

All those points were put to me by the Departmental Committee on Road Safety.

Mr. Chetwynd

How does the right hon. Gentleman propose to distribute the Highway Code?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am anxious to have the chance of discussing it informally between hon. and right hon. Members on both sides of the House, and that is the kind of matter which we shall put to them.

Sir H. Williams

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that it will not be regarded as a legal document unless the terms are discussed by Parliament?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I hope that it will be such a good document that note will be taken of it on its own account.

Mr. Pannell

Can the Minister say why the dog is not mentioned in Government publications? Has he ever considered the fact that the dog is responsible for one in six of road accidents?

Sir H. Williams

No.

Mr. Pannell

It was responsible for one in four accidents in the city of Leeds two years ago, according to figures given by the chief constable. Does the Minister not agree that in these circumstances this is an aspect of the road problem which should receive far more attention than it has received up to now? Is he aware that the only thing one can do about road accidents is to look after drunks and dogs?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It would be premature if I discussed every aspect of the Highway Code.