HC Deb 14 November 1956 vol 560 cc936-8
26. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will now reverse his decision to remove the speed limit on the Ashbourne Road, Derby, from its junction with Kingsway to its junction with Prince Charles Avenue; whether he will now agree to impose a speed limit on the Derby—Macclesfield Road from Prince Charles Avenue to Radbourne Lane as requested by the Derby Borough Council; and whether he is aware of the strong feeling in the Derby Borough Council, the Derby Road Safety Committee, and among the Derby public on these questions.

Mr. Watkinson

I am afraid I have nothing to add to the Answer which I gave the right hon. Gentleman on 31st October which said in general that a speed limit would not help in this case.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very grave matter on which the Derby Council, the Derby Road Safety Committee, the Derby Chief Constable and police and the Watch Committee are unanimously against him, together with the inhabitants of the Mackworth Estate? Is he aware that, while he was considering the position, a cyclist was killed on this stretch of road and that three weeks ago a little girl of seven was knocked down and seriously injured and escaped only by a miracle? [Interruption.] Hon. Members opposite appear to be laughing, but this is not a laughing matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the next day an old lady who was taking flowers to her husband's grave was killed by a motorist who was travelling at 40 m.p.h.—travelling legitimately at that speed because the Minister had taken off the restriction? Is he aware that on Monday this week another old lady aged 82 was killed by a bus? How many more Derby citizens have to be killed before the right hon. Gentleman makes a sensible decision?

Mr. Gresham Cooke

On a point of order. Would you inform me, Mr. Speaker, whether there is a set of rules for Members on the Front Bench different from the rules for Members on the back benches?

Mr. Speaker

There is no difference of rule at all. In fact, I expect right hon. Gentlemen to set a good example in these matters, but as to the length of the supplementary question, it is quite true that this is a very important matter to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker).

Mr. Noel-Baker

In asking the Minister to answer, may I explain that this is the first Question that I have been able to ask for my constituents for eighteen months and that the feeling in the whole of Derby is very strong?

Group Captain Wilcock rose

—

Hon. Members

Answer.

Mr. Speaker

Group Captain Wilcock.

Mr. Noel-Baker

May I have an answer from the Minister?

Mr. Speaker

It may be convenient to have two questions and an answer on the same matter.

Group Captain Wilcock

Is the Minister aware that this is a very serious matter to the inhabitants of Derby? Will he say whether his Department is regarded as being in a better position than the police and the Corporation of Derby and all the people of that area to know whether this is a dangerous stretch of road or not? If his Department is supposed to know best, will he consider a public inquiry in Derby into this matter?

Mr. Watkinson

I will certainly consider anything that will cut down road accidents. As the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) and the hon. and gallant Member know, we have had very long correspondence about this particularly difficult stretch of road, and both my authorities and the local authorities have had meetings and have carefully looked into the matter. All that I am saying at the moment is that I do not think that a speed limit is the right answer. I do not for a moment rule out that we may be able to find another solution. I am perfectly willing to have a meeting on the subject if the right hon. Member for Derby, South thinks that would help to find a solution.

Mr. Noel-Baker

As the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned the correspondence, may I ask whether he is aware that his last letter, dated 23rd October, was addressed and sent not to me but to my hon. Friend the Member for Swindon (Mr. F. Noel-Baker)? Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman had not read it before he sent it? Is he aware that the letter, written by the Parliamentary Secretary, defended this action on the ground that there have been only 31 accidents in three years on this stretch of road? Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman did not read the letter before he sent it?

Mr. Speaker

This sounds to me to be a very excellent subject to raise on the Adjournment.

Mr. Noel-Baker

On a point of order. In view of the extremely unsatisfactory nature of what the Minister has said, I propose to ask him to receive a deputation from Derby Council, and I propose to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.