HC Deb 20 July 1960 vol 627 cc464-5
5. Mr. Langford-Holt

asked the Secretary of State for War why, during the daily march to the Bank of England, the picket does not honour the Highway Code.

Mr. H. Fraser

The picket complies with the Highway Code except where compliance would cause delay to the picket and nuisance to other traffic.

Mr. Langford-Holt

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Highway Code requires marching bodies of troops to have lookouts at suitable distances at front and rear, but that this picket does not have this arrangement and is constantly in the habit of changing direction without giving any indication to oncoming traffic or to traffic overtaking? What is the use of the Minister of Transport spending thousands of £s of State money in inviting people to honour the Highway Code if it is dishonoured by the Secretary of State for War?

Mr. Fraser

On the contrary, experience and expediency show that the best way to get through the rush hour is to move at the greatest possible speed.

Mr. Strachey

May the rest of us obey or disobey the Highway Code when we like in the same way?

Mr. Fraser

This is a question of a reasonable interpretation of instructions to give the minimum trouble to the public.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Would my hon. Friend consider asking my hon. Friend the Member for Shrewsbury (Mr. Langford-Holt) how often the Fleet Air Arm, when he was in it, obeyed the Highway Code?