§ 2. Sir C. Taylorasked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement about the extension of the 40 miles-per-hour speed limit outside the London traffic area.
§ 64. Sir D. Robertsonasked the Minister of Transport when, in view of the urgency of the matter, he expects to be able to present the Road Safety Committee's Report to Parliament.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Ernest Marples)I have received a report from the Departmental Committee on Road Safety on the results of the experiment with a 40 miles-per-hour speed limit which has been in progress in the London Traffic Area since March, 1958. I am satisfied that the experiment has been a success and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland agrees with me that the powers to impose 40 miles-per-hour speed limits should now become available throughout the country. I propose, therefore, to make the report available to both Houses of Parliament and in the near future to make a commencement order which will be subject to affirmative Resolution and which will bring into force the relevant parts of Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act, 1956.
§ Sir C. TaylorI thank my right hon. Friend for that Answer. May I ask whether, when he makes the order, he will use his power with discretion and will not impose a speed limit of 40 miles-per-hour all over the country but only where it has been proved to be necessary?
§ Mr. MarplesCertainly.