§ 20. Sir Clive Bossomasked the Minister of Transport when a further report by the Road Research Laboratory about the results of the 70 miles per hour speed limit experiment will be published; and what period of the experiment it will cover.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. John Morris)In June. It will cover the period from 1st January, 1966, to February, 1967, or March, if that month's statistics are available in time.
§ Sir Clive BossomWill the Parliamentary Secretary confirm that Parliament and the motoring organisations and other interested bodies will all be consulted well before the final decision is taken? Will he also look into the case for making the third lane on a motorway the fast lane with a higher speed limit?
§ Mr. MorrisThe hon. Gentleman's last suggestion will certainly be borne in mind. There will be the usual consultations and I hope that there will be an opportunity for the House to discuss the matter before the Summer Recess.
§ Mr. RankinIs my hon. Friend aware that no speed limit is more frequently broken than the 70 m.p.h. limit in the fast lane? Is he aware that I have seen and reported instances to him, but that these fractures continue to occur?
§ Mr. MorrisI am aware of my hon. Friend's interest in a particular road and I shall certainly look at that matter again.
§ Mr. WebsterWas this matter referred to the Road Safety Advisory Council, and what advice did it give?
§ Mr. MorrisThe hon. Gentleman will recall that the original decision was taken and the matter discussed by the Council before I went to the Ministry of Transport. We are now awaiting the report of the Road Research Laboratory and at the moment there is no question of reference to anyone, because the report is not available.