§ 32. Lieut-Colonel Cordeauxasked the Minister of Transport when he now expects to issue the promised regulations providing for more control over mobile cranes with projecting jibs and vehicles with abnormal overhanging loads.
§ Mr. MarplesRegulations and an associated revision of the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) General Order, which deal with the matters to which my hon. Friend refers and many others as well, are in proof and I hope to make and lay them before Parliament very shortly. They will come into effect in the autumn.
§ Lieut-Colonel CordeauxThat sounds fine, but as my right hon. Friend told us 18 months ago that he hoped to come to a decision on this matter very shortly and he said last January that the regulations would be in existence in February, will he agree that people may not feel too confident about that assurance? If there is any further hold-up, will he give an assurance that he will get a bit tougher with the interested parties whom by Statute he has to consult and who have managed to hold up the making of these regulations for about eighteen months?
§ Mr. MarplesIt is difficult for a person of sensitive nature to be tough with people. The reason for the delay is not a question of toughness nor of obstruction by the interested parties but it is because of the complex and complicated nature of the problem. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that if any delay is caused by people being obstructive, we shall be very firm with them. But it is not that, and I should like to absolve them from blame. There is delay because this is complex and complicated and I hope to make and lay these provisions before Parliament shortly. They will come into effect in the autumn.
§ Mr. PopplewellThis type of answer has been given for a long time. Two months ago the right hon. Gentleman assured me that these regulations would be ready by the end of May. I was in telephonic communication with his Department and afterwards he expressed an apology for the delay and assured me that they would be ready some time 537 pretty soon and that he would give me a date when he expected them to be ready. Is not this the same type of answer that he has repeatedly given and is he not aware that all local authorities are particularly disturbed about the delay in getting these regulations? We know that they may be complicated, but in view of the accidents that are taking place through overhanging loads he should urge his Department to come to a decision more speedily.
§ Mr. MarplesI have here some of the Questions asked by hon. Gentlemen. I cannot find any record of the hon. Gentleman asking me a Question. He may have had a telephone conversation but I have no record of it.
§ Mr. PopplewellThere was some correspondence.
§ Mr. MarplesI have given the answer to my hon. and gallant Friend that these provisions will be brought into effect in the autumn.