§ 17 and 18. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) if, when the 40 miles per hour speed limit comes into operation, he will restrict it to 20 miles per hour within a reasonable radius of schools at such times as the local police desire;
(2) if, when the 40 miles per hour speed limit comes into operation, he will restrict it to 20 miles per hour through industrial centres during the peak periods when most people are present.
§ Mr. NugentThe 40 miles an hour speed limit is being introduced only on suitable lengths of busy main roads in the London Traffic Area. The presence of schools and factories is taken fully into account. I do not think a temporary 20 miles an hour speed limit during limited times of the day would be practicable or enforceable.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithWhile I do not desire to tie the Minister down to exact figures, will he ask his right hon. Friend to reconsider that reply in regard to the industrial areas in particular? Will he also ask him whether he has ever stood on a main road outside a school and watched children coming away from the school, and, if not, before he makes up his mind finally, will he do that?
§ Mr. NugentI can assure the House that we are fully conscious of the dangers to which the hon. Gentleman referred. The main criterion adopted in putting forward lists of roads in London suitable for the 40 m.p.h. speed limit is that some restriction of speed is necesary on the roads in question but a speed limit of 30 m.p.h. either is or would be inappropriate or unenforceable. The 40 m.p.h. limit is of special use in certain circumstances, either where there is no limit at all at present or where there is a 30 m.p.h. limit which is not enforceable.