HC Deb 03 May 1960 vol 622 cc860-2
10. Mr. Willis

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what reply he has made to the representations of Edinburgh Town Council concerning the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Bill.

Mr. N. Macpherson

The Corporation is being told today in reply to its letter of 14th April that, in my right hon. Friend's view, the scope of the Bill could not appropriately be broadened to extend its temporary financial arrangements beyond London as desired by the Corporation.

Mr. Willis

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that whilst we have no objection to London having extra money for road improvements, traffic signs, parking places and the rest, we feel that these same financial provisions should be applied to the other large cities and towns which have a similar traffic problem?

Mr. Macpherson

I agree that the traffic problem is similar, but I think that the House as a whole recognised that it was not so intense.

Mr. Hoy

But is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the position steadily worsens in all the large cities and that as a consequence the rates in the cities and certainly in Edinburgh have gone up substantially to meet the present needs? If it is good enough for the Government to make these provisions for London, with Which I am not quarrelling, why is it not possible to make them for the capital of Scotland?

Mr. Macpherson

I do not think it is appropriate at this stage to argue at Question Time about a Bill which is before the House.

15. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for extending the provisions of the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Bill to Scotland.

Mr. N. Macpherson

Except for certain provisions which are designed to deal with the special traffic problems in the London area, the provisions of the Bill apply to Scotland.

Mr. McInnes

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to extend the financial provisions in that Bill so that it will adequately cover Scotland and not simply confine itself in that regard to London?

Mr. Macpherson

No. Certain provisions, financial and otherwise, apply specifically to London, and it is not proposed to extend them to Scotland.

Mr. Manuel

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the duty is upon him, as the representative of Scotland on the Front Bench in the Committee presently sitting upstairs, to see that Scotland, in those areas where traffic densities are becoming so alarmingly high, especially during the tourist period this summer, gets these provisions that are being applied in London? There is no case against Scotland, or at least its cities, getting the same provisions as are applicable to London.

Mr. Macpherson

What the hon. Member has just said applies equally to other parts of the United Kingdom, but nevertheless the problem in London is a special one.