HC Deb 09 February 1977 vol 925 cc1422-4
14. Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has had on the question of the 50 and 60 mph speed limits; and whether he will make a statement.

17. Mr. Budgen

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received on the question of the 50 and 60 mph speed limits; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Horam

Of the 54 representative organisations consulted, 39 have sent their views. Hon. Members have forwarded 29 letters from their constituents for comment and there have been 73 letters from members of the public. My right hon. Friend is considering the views expressed and expects to announce the Government's decision on the future level of limits before Easter.

Mr. Winterton

Will the Under-Secretary of State indicate the results of the widespread consultation that his Department has had with interested bodies? Does he agree that if legislation is introduced because of a crisis, that legislation should disappear when the crisis goes? Does he agree that this law, which is being widely flouted—the police will verify that they cannot act—weakens the whole fabric of traffic law?

Mr. Horam

The replies are not yet complete. It would therefore be premature for me to give any general observations about the nature of the replies. However, most bodies that have replied so far think that speed limits should be justified on road safety grounds. We particularly asked people to comment on the level of observance of the law. In general, I accept that if laws are not observed the fabric of the law is undermined.

Mr. Budgen

Does the Minister agree that the overwhelming majority of representations argue that the case on road safety grounds has not been made out for these limits, and that they should be scrapped?

Mr. Horam

The limits were introduced not for road safety reasons but because of the energy crisis. We are reconsidering them with both those matters in mind.

Mr. MacFarquhar

Will my hon. Friend concentrate less on speed and bend his mind more to the question of road safety? Will he bear in mind that my constituents did not agree with his Department's finding that raising the speed limit from 30 mph to 40 mph in rural areas, with narrow bending roads, was conducive to road safety?

Mr. Horam

From our regular correspondence I know that my hon. Friend and I occasionally have differences of opinion about the right level for speed limits, particularly in his constituency. The general policy of my Department is to try to achieve those speed limits that will stick and make sense. If particular laws are not observed we shall have trouble later. I take my hon. Friend's point that we should also pay attention to the feelings of local people who are involved in changes in speed limits. Often the only thing that local people can do to protect their locality is to restrict the traffic that travels through it.

Mr. Moate

Is the Minister aware that we have had these temporary limits—which have been extended time and time again—for three years? Does he accept that the time has come for the dithering to end? Will he give an assurance that he will not ask for yet another extension of the limits and that he will put legislation before the House in ample time for it to be considered?

Mr. Horam

I can assure the hon. Member that we are not asking for another extension, and that we shall not ask for one. The six-months' extension was designed to allow time for consultation with a view to working out a permanent system.