HC Deb 19 July 1961 vol 644 cc1240-1
45. Mr. G. Wilson

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now make a statement about the future of the Road Traffic Bill.

51. Mr. Glenvil Hall

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the rising number of accidents on the roads, he will expedite the passage of the Road Traffic Bill this Session.

Mr. Marples

There is clearly not enough time this Session for the Road Traffic Bill to go through all its stages in this House. There has, however, been valuable discussion of its provisions in another place, and I am sure that the Amendments made to the Bill have improved it considerably.

It is the Government's intention to reintroduce the Bill next Session.

Mr. Strauss

May I ask the Minister why he has concealed the obvious for so long? May I further ask whether it is not the fact that had this Bill been introduced earlier in the Session it would now be law? As its purpose is to reduce the appalling and growing toll of casualties on the road, how can the Government possibly justify giving preference over this Measure to another Measure designed to increase the charges under the health legislation?

Mr. Marples

It is always hazardous for any Minister to predict how long a Measure will take when it is introduced into this House or, for that matter, in another place. This Measure is to be reintroduced next Session and I shall look forward to a great amount of support and assistance from the right hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Glenvil Hall

As this Bill was designed to save lives, may I ask whether the Minister has made any estimate of the number of lives which will be lost as the result of the postponement?

Mr. Marples

That is a hypothetical question and obviously it is something very difficult to measure. But I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that I shall do my best to get this Bill through in the next Session.