§ 8. Mr. FabricantTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to clarify road warning signs in Wales; and if he will make a statement.[25639]
§ Mr. RichardsRoad warning signs are covered by the Traffic Signs (Welsh and English Language Provisions) Regulations and General Directions 1985 and the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994. The Welsh Office is developing proposals for public consultation on the updating of the 1985 regulations.
§ Mr. FabricantMy hon. Friend will know that I am a frequent visitor to the land of my mothers. Indeed, I was there on Saturday night when I had the honour of addressing the dinner of the Welsh National Young Conservatives. I shall be visiting Wales on many other occasions, as I received several invitations after that. Is my hon. Friend aware that my and other visitors' journeys to Wales are jeopardised by the warning road signs on Welsh roads? When one approaches such signs quickly, it is often difficult to see information in Welsh or English. As he has said that he is reconsidering the format of signs and having English signs in one colour and Welsh signs in another, will he be consistent in having one language above the other, whichever way round it might be?
§ Mr. RichardsThe Bowen committee in 1970 concluded that there was no evidence that bilingual road signs adversely affect road safety. I had heard from the national press that my hon. Friend had found his way past the bilingual signs to Cardiff and made a brilliant speech to a galaxy of young Conservatives. We are looking forward to having them with us after the next general election instead of the deadwood of the Opposition.