§ 2.35 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the increasing numbers of European visitors coming to this country, in the interests of road safety they will consider the publication of a summary of the Highway Code in appropriate foreign languages for distribution at ports and airfields of entry.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, the present practice is that a free copy of the Code is given to all foreign visitors who arrive in a car or who hire a car on arrival. The Code is written in simple English and is well illustrated. I believe it is of considerable assistance to the majority of our motoring visitors. In addition, the British Travel and Holidays Association's publication Come to Britain, which is published in French and German and which is about to be distributed in France, Belgium and Germany, includes a summary of more important rules, such as the rule of the road, the priority rules and the pedestrian crossing rules, which may be new to visiting motorists. In these circumstances, it has not been thought so far that anything further was necessary, but my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport will keep my noble friend's useful suggestion in mind.
LORD WALERANMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his Answer, and in particular for his statement that the important rules are going to be distributed by the Association, I 1092 wonder whether my right honourable friend in another place considers that the majority of foreign visitors will have enough knowledge of the English language to be able to understand the Highway Code if they have not received copies of it before coming to this country.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, so far as I am aware, there has not been any problem, or any evidence that there has been an extra large number of accidents, or a greater tendency among foreign visitors to have accidents, on that account. My noble friend would like, no doubt, to remember that the motoring organisations also distribute to foreign visitors as they come in wind-screen stickers which relate to road signs and the rules of the road, the wording of which is printed in French and German. Nowadays the motoring associations abroad also distribute or provide information to their members, if they ask for it, on the traffic regulations of this country. Altogether, my Lords, I had thought the situation was satisfactory. If my noble friend, or anybody else, has ample evidence to the contrary, I shall, of course, be pleased to have it.
§ LORD AIREDALEMy Lords, I have one particular point. Is there not some danger that the foreigner might suppose that the road sign which says "Dual Carriageway" means the same thing as the sign which says, "Two-way Traffic", whereas in fact, of course, they mean the opposite? Would it not be better to stick to one form of expression, so that you get the natural contrast of the words "Dual Carriageway" as against "Single Carriageway", or, if you prefer it, "One-way Traffic" as against "Two-way Traffic", but not mix up two forms of expression, so that you have to know the idiom in order to appreciate the contrast?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, the noble Lord was good enough to tell me that he was going to ask that question, and I am bound to say that I have, therefore, been able to reflect upon it. I am not sure, without going into a lengthy discussion, that it might not create as much confusion as it avoids. As you come from a dual carriageway on to a single carriageway, there is a 1093 very good sign consisting of two arrows (I cannot display it to your Lordships, but it is an appropriate sign) pointing in opposite directions, which I think is very clear indeed. As your Lordships know, the Warboys Committee are sitting and considering the whole question of road signs, and I will certainly see that the noble Lord's view is conveyed to them for consideration. In any case, I should not like to agree one way or the other until they have considered the matter and produced their report.
§ THE EARL OF LUCANMy Lords, would the noble Lord ask his right honourable friend if he would reconsider use of the word "carriageway", which is slightly old-fashioned in these days, and also of the words "off-side" and "near-side"?
§ LORD CHESHAMYes, my Lords, I will certainly ask him. The point about the word "carriageway", quaintly old-fashioned as it sounds, is its legal usage; because certainly in law there is a considerable difference between a road and a carriageway. The road is the whole distance between the two fences, so to speak, and includes the verge and any ditches which appertain to the road. The carriageway is actually the railing surface of the road.
§ LORD STONHAMMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that people throughout the world are familiar with the word "off-side", which means a totally different thing when you are driving along?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I had not been aware, although I am delighted to have confirmation, that football had penetrated quite so far, popular as it is in many countries.