§ 2.35 p.m.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what has been the result of their investigation into the problem of pedestrians being unsighted at traffic lights and the installation of "Wait" and "Cross" signs to overcome this difficulty in the interest of road safety.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF POWER (LORD LINDGREN)My Lords, as I have said before, we should be glad to take up with the highway authority concerned any particular cases where this problem may exist. We are still examining the possibility of including in more traffic signals some signs to tell pedestrians that they should wait or cross. Since we have to consider other claims on the expenditure of funds for pedestrian safety, I cannot yet say what the outcome of this examination will be. As soon as I am able I will write to the noble Lady.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that I pay him the compliment of hoping he thinks that that Answer is as unsatisfactory as I do? And might I ask him, in connection with what he said, whether the actual examples I have already given to him in this House and in correspondence could be dealt with without my repeating them?
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, I have a great deal of sympathy with my noble friend, who has given a tremendous 636 amount of time, thought and energy to the problem of road safety, not only in this House but in another place as well. One of the problems now is that local government, and its committee system, leads to greater consideration and discussion by a larger number of persons. It also tends perhaps to lead to a little delay, and I am sorry that I have been unable to keep the promise I made to the noble Lady on January 26, that I hoped to be able to give her a definite answer to-day. But as soon as I can, I will do so.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that in view of that very successful piece of stonewalling, I had better leave the matter to the next occasion?