§ Lord StrathcarronMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce legislation to allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes in the interest of road safety.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, local traffic authorities already have powers to allow motorcyclists to use bus lanes, subject to the Department of Transport authorising special signing.
§ Lord StrathcarronMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. Is he aware that most bus lanes that I have seen throughout the country are for buses, taxis and pedal cyclists? Would he not agree that a motor cyclist is less likely to impede the progress of a bus than a pedal cyclist? Furthermore, would he not agree that it is safer for a motorcyclist to ride in a bus lane than to weave in and out of motor cars in a traffic jam?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, on my noble friend's last point, I certainly agree. However, I have to tell him that so far as I am aware, looking back over the last eight years, no local authority has applied to the Department of Transport for these powers to authorise special signing.
§ Lord StrathcarronMy Lords, as a further question, I should like to ask my noble friend whether the reason that local authorities have not applied is that no one has asked them to do so?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraWell, my Lords, I hope that our exchanges this afternoon may cause them to think about this matter.
§ Baroness Macleod of BorveMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he is aware that private cars are now being parked in a great number of bus lanes, thereby making it very difficult not only for buses and pedal cyclists to get along them but also forcing the buses to go into the lanes reserved for cars?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, this is a matter of enforcement. It is, of course, illegal to park a car in a bus lane, certainly during the specified hours of that bus lane. It is a matter of enforcement and for the police to do what they can.
§ Lord Elwyn-JonesMy Lords, will not the pedestrian be taken by surprise if, when going along a bus lane, a motor cyclist suddenly descends on him?
124 Should we not consider the interests and welfare of pedestrians in examining this question?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I assume that the noble and learned Lord means a pedestrian who is crossing the road. I take the point that he makes. It is a very valid one. It should be taken into consideration if any local authority decides to apply for motor cyclists to be allowed in bus lanes.
§ Lord ShinwellMy Lords, following upon my noble and learned friend's question, may I ask whether it is not of the utmost importance that the House should be informed of the decision reached by the Select Committee on this question of future televising or ceasing to have anything to do with television. Surely, we can ask—
§ Lord ShinwellMy Lords, I am sorry.
§ Lord John-MackieMy Lords, would not the noble Lord's question have been much better if he had left out the word "lanes"?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I am not quite sure that I follow the question of the noble Lord, Lord John-Mackie. Looking at the question, it contains the words "to use bus lanes in the interest of road safety". Perhaps the noble Lord means that the word "buses" should have been used.
§ Lord SwanseaMy Lords, can my noble friend say how many prosecutions have been brought for use of bus lanes by vehicles other than those for which the bus lanes are designated?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, I cannot give a figure for that. I suspect that it would be very difficult to find the figure. It would be quite a task to undertake.