HC Deb 21 December 1966 vol 738 cc1393-4
11. Mr. Adam Hunter

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to reduce the number of road accidents in Scotland.

Dr. Dickson Mabon

New and improved roads, traffic management, publicity and education are all helping to keep down the number of accidents. But care, courtesy and consideration by all road users can make the biggest contribution.

Mr. Hunter

Is my hon. Friend aware that the general grant apportionment for road safety is no higher than that of last year? Would not he agree that, due to the appalling number of accidents in Scotland in recent weeks, some further consideration must be given to this question?

Dr. Mahon

I very much agree. This is why my right hon. Friend and the Minister of Transport have set up the National Road Safety Advisory Council In his Question my hon. Friend is emphasising the point that it is the desire of local authorities to push ahead with this matter which determines the level of expenditure, and I hope that we can proceed further.

Mr. Russell Johnston

Is the hon. Gentleman able to say whether the 50 miles per hour speed limit on certain roads in Scotland has had any effect?

Dr. Mahon

It is too early to make an assessment. The Road Research Laboratory is taking the figures, and we hope to discuss this issue with the Laboratory in the near future.

Mr. G. Campbell

Would not a restoration of the cuts in the Scottish road programme make a signal contribution in this direction?

Dr. Mabon

No, Sir. If the hon. Gentleman looks at this a little more closely, I think he will see that they were small and were not applied primarily for accident reasons but for economic ones.