HC Deb 30 October 1956 vol 558 c1246
47. Mr. Spence

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what new arrangements have been made for the clearance of snow on main trunk roads in Scotland during the coming winter.

Mr. J. Stuart

I have obtained five additional heavy snow ploughs which will be available—[An HON. MEMBER : "Where are you keeping them?"] I am keeping them in my cupboard, locked up—to reinforce highway authorities' equipment in areas heavily affected by snow.

Mr. Spence

Will my right hon. Friend consider fitting these ploughs with police mobile two-way radio sets so that their work can be used to the best advantage in the winter?

Mr. Stuart

I must confess that I had not considered that point, but I shall be very glad to do so.

Mr. John MacLeod

Will my right hon. Friend consider having a depôt in the north of Scotland, somewhere in the Dingwall area, so that we do not have to go down to Lanark, as we have to do just now, and have these machines arriving far too late, when the damage has already been done?

Mr. Stuart

There is a great deal to be said for dispersing these machines. We give very careful consideration where they can best be placed, but it is rather difficult to know exactly where it is going to snow next.