§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are satisfied that the 8 present speed limits on heavy goods vehicles are satisfactory and are being adhered to.]
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government believe the present limits to be appropriate, but more experience of the 60 m.p.h. motorway limit is needed before its suitability is confirmed. Observance of speed limits generally is less than satisfactory and Her Majesty's Government will see that enforcement action continues.
§ VISCOUNT MASSEREENE AND FERRARDMy Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask whether he is aware that, from my experience of these heavy goods vehicles and provided my speedometer is correct, many of them exceed 60 m.p.h.? Further, may I ask my noble friend whether he is aware that a heavy goods vehicle carrying a load of 30 tons is an extremely lethal weapon if asked to stop in a hurry—lethal not only to the driver but to other motorists? Thirdly, may I ask my noble friend whether he, with his right honourable friend, will really impress on the police the need to check on the speed of these heavy vehicles on the motorways more regularly than they appear to do?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONYes my Lords. I think my noble friend's questions could really be ill the form of statements, and my right honourable friend is well aware of these matters. He is concerned with the safety angle and with the enforcement of the law, realising the effect it has on safety in general.
§ LORD PARGITERMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that it is a question of balancing the speed of heavy vehicles with that of other vehicles, so that the heavy vehicles do not block up the traffic but allow it to move?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONYes, my Lords. I will look at that and if necessary write to the noble Lord.
§ LORD SEGALMy Lords, would the noble Lord not agree that heavy goods vehicles are at a great disadvantage whenever they have to climb a hill, and will he seek to increase the number of lay-bys to give an opportunity for other traffic not to be impeded?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, having suffered this fate myself the other day, I am well aware of the problem, but it is a question of who goes into the lay-by to let the others pass.
VISCOUNT ST. DAVIDSMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that the most unsatisfactory speed at the moment is the extremely slow speed of Her Majesty's Government?