HC Deb 09 November 1960 vol 629 c1037
22. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Transport how many committees are now sitting to consider traffic problems in London.

Mr. Marples

There are three committees dealing with traffic problems in the London area; they are the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee, the Transport Users' Consultative Committee for London and the London Travel Committee.

Mr. Lipton

Apart from adding to the confusion and providing the Minister with excuses for inaction, what on earth are those committees doing? Are they really necessary? Has not the time come for one single streamlined traffic committee which will tackle London's traffic congestion in a really comprehensive way and not in the scrappy way now going on?

Mr. Marples

The hon. Gentleman last asked his Question eighteen months ago. There were three committees then and there has been no addition since. I was hoping that he would be pleased instead of indignant.

Mr. Mellish

We recently gave the Minister powers in the Road Traffic and Roads Improvement Act to streamline this. It was what he asked for. Will he tell us what he has done about it?

Mr. Marples

We have set up another traffic management unit, which is executive and not advisory.

Mr. Lipton

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise the matter again.