HC Deb 17 November 1954 vol 533 cc362-3
8. Mr. Snow

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will arrange for the immediate removal of the 30 miles-per-hour speed limit sign near the entrance to the Pear Tree Estate, Rugeley, to a point nearer Hednesford, so as to give adequate protection to the residents of this newly-completed estate.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The initiative in this matter rests with the Staffordshire County Council. If the council seeks my consent to an Order extending the speed limit along this road I will, of course, consider it.

Mr. Snow

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept responsibility in the matter of new housing estates which in themselves, while of planning interest, come immediately within the responsibility of the district authority? Since he has members of his staff at a regional level, is there not a job to be done in taking the initiative in these matters in order to forestall danger?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the road in question is a class 2 road, and in those circumstances the initiative lies with the local authority, as I have explained.

Mr. Snow

But since there are several Ministers involved here—planning, housing, transport and so on—is not some overall supervision necessary from the Minister? The danger occurs after the estate has been completed. This is not a single instance.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Of course there is an important problem and, as the hon. Gentleman says, it affects more Departments than one. However, I should be wrong if I were to attempt, in excess of my powers, to usurp the duties of local authorities.

Mr. Callaghan

I am not very happy about the attitude of the Minister. Is not the Joint Parliamentary Secretary Chairman of the National Road Safety Committee and in that capacity has not he, and has not the Ministry, a responsibility for reviewing these arrangements and for making suggestions if, in the view of the Road Safety Committee, there is a case to be made out?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Certainly we have general supervisory responsibilities in respect of road safety, but I would most emphatically say that we must be extremely careful before seeking to interfere in the first place with the responsibilities of local authorities. All hon. Members who have experience of dealing with local authorities will appreciate that such an approach does far more harm than good.

Mr. H. Nicholls

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is proper to take into account the views of the local authority in such matters but, when he has the views of the local authority, will he give them personal attention and not leave the matter entirely to a divisional road engineer who, in the past, seems to have flouted the recommendations?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I do not accept the imputation against one of my officials which the hon. Member makes, but I fully accept the responsibility which falls upon me when the council put up a proposal.