HC Deb 21 February 1979 vol 963 cc406-7
9. Mr. MacKay

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with gritting and salting of roads so far in 1979.

Mr. William Rodgers

No, Sir.

Mr. Andrew MacKay

Is the Secretary of State aware that in the Birmingham area the motorways have been in a very dangerous state during the past few months, especially because of the lack of gritting and salting as a result of NUPE action? This has resulted in far more accidents and greater danger to motorists travelling on these motorways. Does he agree that he has a responsibility to ensure that the roads are safe? If so, will he ensure that in future volunteers are allowed to grit roads when there is action of the kind to which I have referred?

Mr. Rodgers

Probably there are lessons to be learnt by us all from the experience of the past few weeks, with very exceptional weather and additional difficulties caused by industrial disputes. I am not responsible for all the roads in the United Kingdom. If I pretended that I was, I should be immensely unpopular with local authorities, which like to handle these matters themselves. My main concern has been to keep open motorways and trunk roads as far as possible. In general, we have been successful in that. I could not be satisfied if roads were closed, were dangerous or were inconvenient to travellers.

Mr. Arthur Latham

Has my right hon. Friend seen the motion on the Order Paper congratulating bus drivers on keeping vehicles on the road despite the unevenness of salting and gritting? Will he acknowledge that many more elderly people might have been riding on those buses if the Government's proposals for a national concessionary fares scheme had been implemented? Can he give any indication when this welcome scheme—a major step forward—will be the subject of a statement so that we can ask questions about it?

Mr. Rodgers

I am most grateful to my hon. Friend, who has been peculiarly friendly today. He is right to say that buses managed to run, often in difficult conditions. If he refers to my Green Paper, published on Monday, he will see that it is hoped to introduce a national concessionary fares scheme as soon as we can get it through the House of Commons.