§ 2. Sir Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Transport what were the factors which led her to extend the experimental 70 miles per hour speed limit for a further two months.
§ Mrs. CastleThese were given in a Press notice dated 6th April, a copy of which is available in the Library. Broadly, the preliminary findings of the Road Research Laboratory showed that there was a significant reduction of accidents on rural main roads other than motorways and that a more extended trial was desirable on motorways.
§ Sir Clive BossomWill the right hon. Lady bear in mind that several county police chiefs have stated that, in their opinion, the temporary limit of 70 m.p.h. is restrictive for motor vehicles on motorways? Will she give deep thought to removing the limit on the motorways, whatever else she decides after 12th June?
§ Mrs. CastleI am not prepared to give any undertaking before the end of the experiment. I shall make a statement to the House about the results of the experiment next month.
§ Mr. MolloyWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that statistics show that the imposition of the 70 m.p.h. limit has reduced accidents, thereby reducing also unhappiness and grief? May we have an assurance that she will not give in to pressures to remove the limit until the exercise has been thoroughly carried out?
§ Mrs. CastleI give an undertaking that I will be guided by the evidence.