§ 2.42 p.m.
§ LORD THOMASMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will authorise mobile motor patrol police to make a note of the registration numbers of cars that cruise at substantially above 50 m.p.h. on motorways and elsewhere, in order that in the event of petrol rationing by coupons or otherwise such drivers should not receive priority treatment.
§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALMy Lords, it would be wrong in principle for the Government to penalise an individual for disregarding the request to adopt a self-imposed speed limit of 50 m.p.h. Nevertheless, it is a request which I hope will be observed by all motorists.
§ LORD THOMASMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply, which was considered and courteous. Furthermore, 119 may I ask whether Her Majesty's Government think that even in these permissive days there ought to be some penalty, implicit or real, for those members of the community who drive on motorways like lunatic lemmings, to their own danger and to the discomfort of others?
§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALMy Lords, I daresay We have been familiar with Gadarene swine as well as the lunatic lemmings. Nevertheless, laws exist to enforce speed limits and the public's attitude to these laws is not changed by the present state of emergency.
§ LORD WIGGMy Lords, if the noble Lord has anything in mind along the lines of the suggestion put to him by his noble friend, would he do a little sum to see which is the worse offence—to drive at 50 m.p.h. on the M.1, or to come to this House in a Rolls-Royce?
§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALMy Lords, that would be a complicated piece of accounting.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, would my noble friend agree that it is only a minority of motorists who drive on motorways in the fashion suggested by my noble friend Lord Thomas.
§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALMy Lords, that is very much what the Government have in mind. It is precisely for that reason that my noble friend is hopeful that it will not be necessary to introduce petrol rationing at all.
§ LORD SLATERMy Lords, further to the supplementary question about excessive speeding, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is aware that the motorways are well protected by squad cars? So far as my own county is concerned, the police are outstanding. The fears expressed in the supplementary question are groundless.
§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALMy Lords, I am not wholly sure that I grasped the drift of the noble Lord's question. I do not think there is any question but that speed Limits are enforced and can be enforced; but this particular question refers to the exhortations not to exceed 50 m.p.h., which is a rather different matter.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, does the noble Lord consider—and shortly we 120 shall have a Bill before us dealing with the fuel crisis—that it would be right and proper to put a provision in that Bill so that a regulation could be introduced to impose a statutory speed limit on the motorways, perhaps at 50 m.p.h.? In that way everyone will not only know the law but will obey it.
§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALMy Lords, the noble Lord is certainly making a point. I am no lawyer, but there are a number of difficulties involved in enforcing such a limit.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, the noble Lord will appreciate that by regulation one can do many things, particularly in a moment of crisis. I make that point hoping that the noble Lord will discuss the matter with his noble friends, and that, if an Amendment of that nature were put down, the Government would be in a position, having given consideration to the Amendment, to give a reply to your Lordships' House.
§ LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYALWe can certainly take up this point, my Lords.