§ 28. Mr. Darlingasked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from the Chief Constable of Buckinghamshire on the advisability or otherwise of introducing a 50 miles-an-hour speed limit on the at present unrestricted parts of the A.40 between the boundary of the Metropolitan Police area and High Wycombe; and what reply he made.
§ Mr. HayNone, Sir, but we discussed our proposals for a temporary 50 m.p.h. speed limit at Whitsun with the Home Office and a number of chief constables, including a representative of the Chief Constable of Buckinghamshire.
§ Mr. DarlingAm I to understand, therefore, that no assurance was given 1423 that this new speed limit on the A.40 can be enforced; that the chief constable has not a sufficient number of policemen at his disposal to make sure that that speed limit is observed? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the present speed limits on the road are not carried out? I live quite close to the road and travel on it daily, and in a period of ten years I have never seen one police patrol on that stretch of the road to carry out enforcement of traffic regulations.
§ Mr. HayAs the House knows, Mr. Speaker, we are shortly to proceed to a debate on all these arrangements for Whitsun, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman catches your eye, when he can, perhaps, develop that point.
§ Mr. BennCan the hon. Gentleman say what research has gone on in this country into the relationship between different speeds and enforcement possibilities, such as has gone on in the United States?
§ Mr. DarlingOn a point of order, Mr. Speaker. If, by some chance, I fail not to catch your eye later, how can I get an answer to my supplementary question?
§ Mr. SpeakerI get so confused with double negatives.