HC Deb 20 December 1967 vol 756 cc1237-8
4. Sir E. Errington

asked the Minister of Transport whether she has accepted the recommendation of the Estimates Committee on Road Research that any opinion polls, the object of which is to ascertain the public's attitude towards an experiment being made or under consideration by her Department, should in future be conducted, or examined by the headquarters of her Department rather than by the Road Research Laboratory.

Mr. Swingler

The Department's observations on these recommendations about road research are very shortly to be sent to the Estimates Committee.

Sir E. Errington

Can the hon. Gentleman give some indication of the Government's view on this?

Mr. Swingler

I think that it is the normal practice to send our observations on the Estimates Committee's recommendations to the Estimates Committee in the first place. No doubt after that the matter can, if necessary, be discussed in the House. We want to co-ordinate our replies and comments on all the recommendations, and they will shortly be made available in the first place to the Estimates Committee itself.

Mr. Webster

In view of the comments of the Estimates Committee regarding the Road Research Laboratory, will the hon. Gentleman ensure that the Laboratory is seen to be free from bias on controversial issues such as this?

Mr. Swingler

Certainly it is our object that the Laboratory should be free from bias. It is a scientific organisation, which gives objective advice to the Minister. I do not wish to reveal in advance—as a matter of courtesy to the Estimates Committee—our reply to its recommendations.