§ 29. Mr. Dyeasked the Secretary of State for War why the military convoy which passed through Downham Market on 2nd September, 1955, refused to take the route suggested by the local police and passed through the narrow High Street, causing a lengthy hold-up of traffic and inconvenience, when a shorter and better road was available.
§ Mr. HeadWe planned the route with the local authority and police and it did not go through Downham Market. This was changed at the last minute at the request of the county authorities.
§ Mr. DyeThe convoy did go through Downham Market and did cause great confusion, and it was against the wishes of the local police and everybody else, because another route was available. Would the right hon. Gentleman see that this sort of thing does not happen again?
§ Mr. HeadThis was not the fault of my Department. We desired to avoid Downham Market but the county authorities, because of some road scheme, diverted the route through Downham Market and so we had to go through that way.