§ 1. Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to alter the responsibilities between county and district authorities in relation to roads and speed limits; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Neil Carmichael)My right hon. Friend has no such plans. He considers that it is more appropriate for county authorities to undertake the broad responsibilities involved in determining speed limits.
§ Mr. MadelAs the district councils are considerably larger, both in population and in acreage, than the councils they replaced on 1st April last year, and as they tend to be in closer touch with local opinion than the larger county councils, will the hon. Gentleman consider transferring powers over roads, and especially speed limits, to district councils as a better means of meeting local requirements?
§ Mr. CarmichaelThe hon. Member will realise that a county can delegate powers to districts for unclassified roads. The districts, on the other hand, can put forward the views held locally to the county authorities. However, I believe that for the overall transport strategy, which includes roads, speed limits and traffic management generally, which is the responsibility of the county, responsibility for speed limits should be left with the county.