43. Mr. Beanasked the Minister of Transport when he intends to announce his comprehensive plans for improving safety on the roads.
§ Mr. MarplesMy general policy is to guide, assist and where necessary supplement the efforts of the national and local organisations who are doing such valuable work in the road safety field. We are constantly at work, in consultation with those concerned, in devising new measures, or improving existing means for tackling road accidents. I will announce new proposals from time to time as opportunity offers.
§ Mr. BennIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that Answer is just not good enough in view of the latest figures of accidents published by his own Department? Is he not aware that in December last year the number of adult pedestrians 423 killed or injured rose by 24 per cent. and the number of moped casualtiss— a figure given by his hon. Friend—rose by 83 per cent.? Is he aware that we expect not merely a continuation of medicine as before but a new attempt to get the problem tackled?
§ Mr. MarplesI must agree with the hon. Member when he says that the way in which the accident rate is increasing, especially the number of deaths, is really appalling. I am disturbed about it and I am looking at the problem. On the whole, in view of the system, the smallness of this country and the number of motor cars, it behoves everyone to be very careful and to drive as carefully as he possibly can.