§ 50. Mr. Grimondasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation his estimate of the increase in road vehicles in any convenient period ahead, such as three or five years.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterOn the basis of the current rate of growth, I estimate that the increase over the next three years in the number of motor vehicles will be rather more than one and one half million, including motor-cycles and motor-assisted pedal cycles.
§ Mr. GrimondDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that that great increase in the number of vehicles, including motor-cycles and motor-assisted pedal cycles, will create a very serious situation? Already in some towns the traffic is almost solid, and if another one and a half million vehicles are to be put on the roads the traffic may not be able to move at all. Has he considered whether the current road programme will deal with that estimated traffic situation, or will restrictions be necessary?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI hope that restrictions will not be necessary, but I agree with the hon. Member that this does indicate the enormous importance of the road programme.