HC Deb 22 March 1961 vol 637 cc381-2
35. Mr. Gresham Cooke

asked the Minister of Transport if he can now say when he will introduce a Road Safety Bill; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Marples

A Bill to make further provisions on road safety and other matters was presented in another place yesterday. Copies of the Bill are available in the Vote Office.

Mr. Gresham Cooke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he will be congratu- lated on finding time for such an important Measure in his crowded programme? Will he say whether in the Bill he intends to make provision to put right something that went a little wrong in the Road Traffic (Driving of Motor Cycles) Bill by which persons trying to learn to drive a motor cycle and sidecar were prohibited from doing so on a motor cycle of over 250 cc.?

Mr. Marples

I think that was the Bill promoted by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Croydon, North-East (Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett). Provision is made in the Bill for that.

Mr. Mellish

Is the Minister aware that the proposals in this Bill have been bandied about the House and that a number of Conservative hon. Members knew about them and were discussing them, yet at no time were any Members of the Opposition consulted on a matter which is clearly a non-party one? Does he not understand that this is the sort of thing which causes grave affront to many of us on this side of the House?

Mr. Marples

I have not consulted any of my hon. Friends on this. This is purely a Government matter and the Government are responsible for the publication of the Bill.

Mr. Lipton

Will the Minister ensure that something is put in the Road Traffic Bill to deal with the parking of heavy commercial vehicles in residential areas in London? I am sure that there is nothing in the Bill about that.

Mr. Marples

We dealt with that in the Bill passed in 1960, and the hon. Gentleman could have taken part in the debate if he so wished.