HC Deb 21 June 1961 vol 642 cc1460-1
30. Captain Litchfield

asked the Minister of Transport if he will introduce a speed limit on motorways.

Mr. Marples

Experience so far does not point to the need for a speed limit on motorways.

Captain Litchfield

Is my right hon. Friend aware that motor cars capable of the highest speeds are virtually uninsurable for young drivers? Is not this a practical indication that exceptionally high speeds, although lawful, are regarded as serious insurance risks?

Mr. Marples

That may well be non sequitur. On this particular motorway we have a traffic engineering committee which has examined the behaviour of traffic very carefully, and so far the committee does not think that a speed limit would be justifiable. It would be illogical to impose one on a road specially built for high speeds whereas there is no speed limit on other trunk roads.

Mr. Snow

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us who frequently use the M1 are worried about the relatively few occasions when we see police patrols? Will he enter into urgent discussions with the police authorities on this matter? Is he also aware that in the two road-houses on this road, especially on Saturday nights, there is a certain amount of hooliganism, which some people believe to originate in undue indulgence in alcohol taken before coming on the road?

Mr. Speaker

Order. Speed limits have nothing to do with hooliganism.

Mr. Rankin

Since when we approach the boundaries of local authorities they inform us that speed kills, why should not the right hon. Gentleman limit speed, even on motorways?

Mr. Marples

I think that if speed kills it depends on the circumstances in which it is applied.

Mr. Paget

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of how impressed I am by the superiority of manners on the M1 compared with those on any other highway? It is the highway on which I feel safest.

Mr. Marples

It is a long time since I have been able to say that I am grateful to the hon. and learned Gentleman.

Mr. Snow

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. While I disagree with what my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Northampton (Mr. Paget) has just said, I think that you stopped my supplementary question because I referred to indulgence in alcohol, and you pointed out that this Question was about speed. My supplementary question, however, pointed out that speed was often engendered because of indulgence in alcohol.

Mr. Speaker

I am sorry. I think that the hon. Gentleman was unjustly frustrated by myself, and I apologise to him and to the House.