§ 21. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give details of any instructions or guidance notes which have so far been issued to local authority reorganisation commit tees and the traffic management departments of existing local authorities in preparation for implementing the provisions of the Heavy Commercial Vehicles Act 1973.
§ Mr. PeytonYes, Sir, Circulars 128 of 1973 and 2 of 1974.
§ Mr. DykesWill my right hon. Friend confirm two propositions? The first is that the Act needs a great deal of work and that, therefore, the new local authorities should begin their work very soon after April this year to deal with the complicated details of this important provision. Secondly, in the meantime, in advance of any details being elaborated over the period laid down by the legislation, there are plenty of things that local authorities can do to mitigate the effects of heavy lorries in their most sensitive areas.
§ Mr. PeytonI agree with my hon. Friend that a great deal can be done in the interval. I assure him that local authorities will not suffer from any lack of advice or of urging the need to make progress with this useful Act.