§ LORD SORENSENMy 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 advice they have given to the appropriate local authorities and police in respect of considerable inconveniences caused to motorists during such events as the annual race of veteran cars from London to Brighton; whether they are aware that preference is given to the passage of those cars over those drivers who wish more speedily to reach their destinations; and whether the A.A. and R.A.C. can be advised to affix warning notices of the veteran car race on London roads converging on the main London-Brighton road.]
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport has appointed the R.A.C. as the appropriate authority for authorising all rallies (including the Veteran Car Run) which pass through more than one police area. For all such events the arrangements are worked out by the R.A.C. in consultation with the police to ensure the minimum inconvenience to other road users. In respect of the Veteran Car Run the route for the competitors is signposted as well as alternative routes for other drivers. The route is not closed to other motorists, but the police do regulate other traffic to assist the veteran cars. While my right honourable friend recognises that not everyone is interested in rallies, veteran or otherwise, the Veteran Car Run is one event which has attracted very few complaints in recent years. For many people it is an enjoyable event.
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, does my noble friend appreciate that while I, and I am sure everyone in this House, have no desire at all to prevent the running of this very entertaining event, 6 nevertheless a great deal of inconvenience is caused to other drivers? My own experience is that a journey which normally takes a certain time took an hour more on the day that I went, causing me to arrive at my destination for a special appointment three-quarters of an hour later. That is also the experience of a number of others—parsons, doctors and businessmen—who want to reach their destinations in normal time. And will my noble friend take heed that the notices are quite inadequate for this purpose?
LORD WENTERBOTTOMMy Lords, the Veteran Car Rally takes place once a year, it is watched by three-quarters of a million people and in the recent period only one complaint has been received.
§ LORD LINDGRENMy Lords, is my noble friend aware of the historical background of this event, which is of particulare interest to Members on this side of the House?
LORD WINTER BOTTOMMy Lords, I am not certain that I altogether agree with my noble friend. It is the anniversary of the abolition of the gentlemen with the red flag.
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that this event is not, as it is inaccurately described in two places in the Question, a race? Is the noble Lord further aware that I had anticipated that the noble Lord, Lord Sorensen had put down this Question because of some personal experience; and could the Minister say why the noble Lord should pick on this event, as against the multifarious number of carnivals, processions and demonstrations taking place on the public roads? Is the noble Lord aware that the R.A.C., who promote this event, as well as acting as the Government's agent erect a mass of notices giving warnings and alternative routes—the noble Lord, Lord Sorensen, shakes his head—which should satisfy the noble Lord if only he went to look for them? Finally, is the Minister aware that the A.A. would not have any interest in this rally, because it is promoted by the R.A.C.?
§ LORD WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, as regards the penultimate point raised by the noble Lord, that is my information.
§ LORD MONTAGU OF BEAULIEUMy Lords, in view of the obvious ignorance of the noble Lord, Lord Sorensen, would the Minister convey to the noble 7 Lord that he can come down to Brighton with me next Saturday so that he can see for himself?
§ LORD SORENSENMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that I was on the rally—that is why I complained?
§ LORD STRATHCARRONMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware how much competitors appreciate the help of the police, and that without this help many of us would not get up the hills at all?