§ 38. Mr. MichaelTo ask the Lord President of the Council what assessment he has made of the effect of schemes to speed traffic past the House to and from Parliament square on the case for consequent measures to offer hon. Members an opportunity of safely crossing the road on the way from outlying offices to the House.
§ The Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Mr. John MacGregor)The effectiveness of the traffic control measures recently installed in and around Parliament square is still being assessed. Preliminary conclusions indicate, however, significant improvements in the flow of traffic and the safe control of pedestrians. I am advised that the existing crossings are considered to provide the best arrangements for Members crossing to the House from outlying buildings.
§ Mr. MichaelI suggest to the Leader of the House that the latter part of his brief was written by somebody who has not had to run the gamut of the speeded-up traffic. I assure him that the likelihood of by-elections, mainly for the Conservative Benches, is increased by those traffic measures, because the improvement in traffic is generally for the benefit of the general public and does not appear to be to the general benefit of hon. Members. No reference is made to the importance for all hon. Members who have to cross the road for the benefit of television appearances. It is not only those of us who have offices on the other side who have an interest in this. Will he promise to keep the matter under review and consider measures that will protect hon. Members going about their business?
§ Mr. MacGregorIt is no small thing that the changes have been to the benefit of the general public in terms of safety and the free flow of traffic. We must take that into 610 account. As to the problems for hon. Members, the Accommodation and Administration Sub-Committee has requested the provision of traffic refuge islands. The matter is under active consideration by the traffic authorities and I understand that a report on their conclusions is expected in the near future.