§ 20. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the enforcement of maximum weights for vehicles used henceforward for the maintenance of footpaths, it is intended that vehicles which carry surfacing material such as tarmacadam will be weighed with or without their load of surfacing material.
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Vice-Admiral John Hughes Hallett)The regulations relate to the gross weight of vehicles which includes the weight of any material carried.
§ Sir B. JannerIs the Minister aware that this will place considerable difficulty in the way of the proper repair of these footpaths? Has he not received complaints with regard to this matter from the various authorities, and what is he going to do about them?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThe hon. Gentleman puts me in a slight difficulty, because I think he has anticipated his own Question which is next on the Order Paper.
§ Sir B. JannerI am sorry that the Minister should have been in difficulty, because I would have been very pleased for him to have answered them together.
§ 21. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to discuss with the highway authorities the steps that can be taken to overcome the difficulties anticipated by them in connection with the operation of Statutory Instrument, 1963, No. 2126, dated 19th December, 1963.
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThe meeting was held between officials of the Ministries of Power and Transport and representatives of the associations of local authorities concerned on 20th March.
§ Sir B. JannerWhat is the hon. and gallant Gentleman proposing to do about it after having had that meeting? Has he any suggestions to make to deal with the situation?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettThe procedure for dealing with applications to the Minister of Power for relaxations under the present regulations was discussed and it was agreed that officials should prepare a draft amendment to the regulations which would allow local authorities, after consultation with the appropriate gas board, to use vehicles exceeding one ton in weight on footpaths.