§ Viscount MOUNTGARRETMy 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 whether provision could be made either to compel motorists to use the left-hand lane of dual or triple lane carriageways when possible or to permit the overtaking on the left-hand side of vehicles monopolising the centre or right-hand lane.
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, the Highway Code gives clear advice on lane discipline and overtaking on dual carriageway roads which all drivers should follow. It should not be necessary to compel drivers to use the left-hand lane of these roads as the noble Lord proposes. The Government would not want to encourage overtaking on the left on dual carriageways as this is potentially dangerous in British conditions.
§ Viscount MOUNTGARRETMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply, and I would agree with the second part of his Answer to my Question. Does he not agree that there is an increasing tendency for motorists—particularly those wishing to travel at low speeds—to hog the centre lanes of motorways, and who perhaps do not pay attention to the advice given in the Highway Code? Would it not be helpful if attention could be drawn to this problem?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, as your Lordships and my noble friend will be aware, occasionally the Government advertise on television 1610 on matters of this sort and we shall continue to do so.
§ Lord LEATHERLANDMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that to "keep left" is a motto which might well be followed in all walks of life?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Leather-land, is always asking me about these matters. In his case we are following a green light which will go straight ahead.
§ Lord MACKIE of BENSHIEMy Lords, will the noble Lord say what the Government's policy will be on U-turns?
§ The Marquess of AILESBURYMy Lords, has the noble Lord noticed that one never sees a woman driving in the manner about which the noble Viscount very rightly complained, but that it always seems to be a particular kind of man who clearly regards the right-hand lane as a virility symbol. Therefore, will he consider a publicity campaign in which men, popularly supposed to be virile, will appear on posters, or possibly on television, proclaiming that they, in fact, drive on the left? Finally, is the noble Lord aware that although I have five children and am, therefore, technically qualified for this role, the kind of man whom I seriously put forward is Mr. Sean Connery?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, I should be the last to suggest that any driver should try to identify whether the driver in front of him be a woman or a man, because these days it is very hard to tell. Basically, the advice that I have to give—and it is the Government's advice—is that the Highway Code contains all the necessary information if only drivers will read it and follow the advice.
§ Lord BALFOUR of INCHRYEMy Lords, when licences are renewed annually, will the noble Lord consider including a leaflet of special reminders for the particular year dealing with such subjects as that raised by the noble Viscount?
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, I shall certainly have that looked at and let my noble friend know.
§ The Earl of BRADFORDMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that on the Continent lane discipline on motorways is very much better than it is here, particularly in France and Germany; and that that succeeds very largely because of the constant repetition of the words "Keep right"—in their case their politics perhaps being rather different—in the vernacular "Tenez la droite"and"Rechts fahren". That seems to be very effective.
§ Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTONMy Lords, I am grateful to my wife's noble kinsman for his words of advice, which I do not think particularly go against the Highway Code. Conditions in Germany are not the same as those obtaining in this country. I repeat, the Highway Code says it all; I must emphasise that yet again.