§ 38. Sir Richard Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Transport how much is now being spent on road safety organisation.
§ Mr. MarplesExpenditure from central government funds in this financial year will be approximately £123,000. In addition, expenditure by local authorities is likely to be approximately £480,000.
§ Sir Richard PilkingtonDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that this sum is not adequate? Would it not pay the nation in terms of lives saved if this sum were quadrupled?
§ Mr. MarplesOn the question of road safety, a lot depends on local effort and initiative. Some of the voluntary workers in road safety have done extremely valuable work. It is not necessarily a matter of the money; it is a matter of voluntary service.
§ 39. Sir Richard Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Transport how many local authorities now employ road safety organisers.
§ Mr. MarplesApproximately 1,000 road safety committees have been set up by local authorities acting independently or jointly, and about 480 road safety officers are at present employed by them.
§ Sir Richard PilkingtonDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that all local authorities ought to have road safety organisers? Is he aware that in the Borough of Poole by this means the accident rate last year went down in comparison with the general trend in the country as a whole?
§ Mr. MarplesIn some cases the road safety officers act for two local authorities; 480 road safety officers serve about 1,000 road safety committees, and their expertise is invaluable.