§ 36. Sir Richard Pilkingtonasked the Minister of Transport what reply he has had from interested organisations regarding the proposal that lorries should be permitted greater dimensions than is the rule at present.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThe proposals have been welcomed in many quarters. Some modifications have been suggested, and some organisations have expressed the view that larger vehicles may prove detrimental to road safety. We are now considering all the views expressed.
§ Sir Richard PilkingtonIs my hon. and gallant Friend aware that there are many lorries on the roads which are already too big? Does not he agree that these large lorries cause more congestion than any other single factor and therefore cause accidents on the road? Will he think about this again? To have lorries bigger than those at present on the roads would be a very retrograde step.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI assure my hon. Friend that all the opinions and suggestions which have reached my right hon. Friend will be very carefully considered, and the whole problem will be reassessed before we reach the stage of making regulations.
§ Mr. StraussParliamentary opinion on this matter, which may be very strong indeed, has not yet expressed itself, but I am sure that very large numbers of hon. Members feel that to increase the size of these lorries would be wholly wrong and would cause a very large number of additional accidents.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettWe shall note what the right hon. Gentleman has said.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyWill my hon. and gallant Friend undertake to make a statement in this House before any decision is arrived at?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI will bear that in mind. I would rather not give an undertaking at this moment.
§ Mr. McBrideWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the damaging effect of traffic of this nature on roads which are inadequately constructed for such traffic? Is he aware of the serious financial position which this proposal will create for local authorities, particularly in Wales?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThat is certainly one of the factors which have to be considered.