§ 40. Captain Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent he envisages a greater use of the Dahl-stent safety kerb on roads under his control in this country.
§ Mr. MolsonThis depends upon the outcome of trials which will continue for some time.
§ Captain PilkingtonCan my hon. Friend say how long these trials already have been going on?
§ Mr. MolsonNo, Sir. The point is that in July last, my right hon. Friend the then Minister issued a circular dealing with the whole question of kerbs—vertical kerbs, splayed kerbs and flush kerbs. This was the result of careful 198 investigation of how to arrange kerbs in a way that would result in the greatest possible road safety. This new proposal is intermediate, and before we depart from the principle so recently laid down it is necessary to make quite certain that these new kerbs will be an improvement.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWill my hon. Friend put a speedy halt to the absurd practice of putting down kerbs, of whatever kind, at great public expense on main roads which in a very short time will be widened anyway?
§ Mr. MolsonThat is a matter which we are already trying to deal with. At the same time, there are instances where it is essential to put in kerbs, and where the widening will not take place for a considerable time. I am sure that my noble Friend would not wish us to disregard questions of safety merely because widening is to take place some time in the future.