HC Deb 06 June 1956 vol 553 cc1058-9
12. Mr. Awbery

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what experiments have been made by his Department in the use of helicopters for the direction of road traffic in and out of our large cities and coastal resorts during the peak hours of traffic; and if they will be continued during the summer period.

Mr. Watkinson

Traffic control is primarily a matter for the police, and I understand that a number of police forces have on occasion used helicopters to assist in controlling crowds and traffic.

Mr. Awbery

Is the Minister aware that such is the traffic from our large cities to our coastal resorts during the summer period that if something is not done very shortly there will be chaos everywhere? Will he do something to change the present system and control this traffic during the summer period?

Mr. Watkinson

As I have said, it is not my job primarily to control the traffic. I shall have certain proposals to put to the people concerned for the August holiday period, when we may well expect the densest traffic. I want to make it plain that it is not primarily my task to deal with traffic as such. That is a matter for the police.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

In view of the anxiety that I feel for a large number of our colleagues today, can my right hon. Friend give an assurance that hclicopter control is being used over Epsom?