HC Deb 30 July 1954 vol 531 cc130-1W
Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what information he has so far obtained from the Road Research Laboratory as to the economic advantages and safety considerations which arise in connection with the proposal to raise the maximum speed limits for heavy goods vehicles to 30 miles per hour; and whether he will arrange for a report to be made at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Molson

The information which I have from the Road Research Laboratory indicates that many heavy goods vehicles already travel at 30 miles per hour, and the Departmental Committee on Road Safety, on which the Laboratory is represented, has stated that it would not object to the adoption of this as the legal speed limit. Further research by the Road Research Laboratory would not be likely to elicit any new considerations.

Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will arrange for officials of his Department, together with members of the staff of the Road Research Laboratory, to investigate the advantages which arise from the facility afforded to heavy goods vehicles in France, Germany, Holland and Italy to travel at over 30 miles per hour.

Mr. Molson

Ample information is already available about the advantages and disadvantages of higher speed limits for heavy goods vehicles, and I do not think the proposed investigation is needed.