HC Deb 11 April 1962 vol 657 cc1320-2
30. Mr. Turton

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the holding of motor-car rallies at night continues to cause considerable disturbance; and whether he will introduce legislation to prevent this practice.

47. Mr. Gough

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the continuing nuisance being caused by organised motor rallies between the hours of midnight and 4 or 5 a.m.; and if he will now take steps to deal with this ever-growing problem.

50. Mr. More

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the continuing annoyance caused by the holding of nocturnal motor-car rallies in rural areas; and whether he will now take steps to empower the police to exercise a reasonable control.

Mr. Marples

I am aware that a few of these events cause a degree of disturbance. I am considering, in consultation with interested bodies, whether some measure of control is called for.

Mr. Turton

Will my right hon. Friend consider whether the organisers of such rallies should not notify both the local authority and the local police when rallies take place? At the moment they go on all night in many cases and villagers can get no sleep at all.

Mr. Marples

I have been in touch with the police about this. They tell me that the volume of complaint is small in relation to the large number of rallies which are held. For the most part, clubs are anxious to avoid criticism and they co-operate with the police. They are willing to accept advice about routes and timing. The real difficulty is that people who live on a very quiet road get disturbed and it contrasts very vividly with their normal peace and quietude, whereas in large centres like Bermondsey and other places where there is heavy traffic going to the docks the residents are disturbed all night and they tend to get used to it.

Mr. Gough

Would my right hon. Friend therefore be surprised to hear that in the last six weeks there have been rallies practically every weekend in my constituency? Would he further agree that the trouble nowadays is that these rallies are not organised by the normal organisations, like the R.A.C., and they constitute a very serious menace between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m.?

Mr. Marples

I agree that certain cases are disturbing. I am bound to say that in my view such cases are in the minority, but it is still irritating when they happen. At present, I have no powers to ban or control rallies and any new powers required would have to be sought in the Road Traffic Bill which is now going through Parliament. I therefore hope that, if hon. Members feel agitated about this, they will table Amendments which can be considered during the Committee stage of the Bill.

Mr. Lipton

Will the Minister favourably consider any Amendments which some of us might want to table to make all-night rallies illegal? It is no use wasting the time of the Committee if the Minister has already made up his mind against it? In any event, what is the use of all-night rallies?

Mr. Marples

I hope that I take the hon. Gentleman with me when I say that I am always open to argument, especially when it comes from the hon. Gentleman himself.

Sir G. Nicholson

Does my right hon. Friend recollect that I am in correspondence with him about the outraged feelings of the villagers of Thursley in my constituency? He replied in his first letter, which I am sure that he did not write himself, that this is part of the price of progress. Does he realise that, although the number of protests may be few, when they are made they are deeply felt? Will he try to put himself in the place of people who cannot sleep all night because of these terrible things?

Mr. Marples

I have in my brief both the letters which I sent to my hon. Friend, both of which I dictated myself. I say in one letter: Let me say at once that the residents of Hambledon are indeed fortunate to have such a persuasive—and vigorous—advocate of their cause.

Mr. Jeger

Will the Minister pay particular attention to his hon. Friend the Member for Horsham (Mr. Gough) and take note of the fact that many rallies are not organised by the ordinary motoring organisations but by the Young Conservatives?

Mr. Marples

They are the better rallies.