41. Sir W. Wavellasked the Prime Minister if, in view of the uncertainty of responsibility for pedestrian crossings in the Outer Circle, Regent's Park, which has caused delay in acting upon the urgent representations which have been made by the St. Marylebone Borough Council for pedestrian crossings there, he will arrange for this responsibility to be determined without further delay between the Ministries of Works, Transport, Home Department, and any other Department that may be concerned.
§ The Prime MinisterThe need for pedestrian crossings is being examined but is not yet established. Steps are contemplated to remove any uncertainty which may exist about responsibility.
§ Sir W. WakefieldI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Can steps be taken to expedite the removal of the present uncertainty and obscurity about the legal position and to clear up some of the anomalies which still remain? It would be helpful if that could be done to allay public anxiety.
§ The Prime MinisterThe first thing is for the Minister of Transport to decide whether it is right or necessary to have these crossings. As my hon. Friend knows, there is a complication about precise responsibility, which dates from very old legislation. We are trying to clear up that doubt.
§ Mr. FernyhoughWill the right hon Gentleman tell us whether he has now taken on the duty of answering for the Ministeries mentioned in this Question?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, but this Question was passed to me because it affected more than one Ministry and I thought that it would be courteous to answer it.