§ Mr. Muddasked the Secretary of State for Transport what were the reasons for the disbandment of the area road safety units in England and Wales.
§ Mr. HoramOn 1st March 1975 county councils in England and Wales became responsible for the promotion of road safety. Their statutory duties include the study of accidents on local authority roads and the identification of measures to make roads safer—work which had been pioneered by the area road safety units. The five road safety units in England were accordingly closed in 1975, but my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales still maintains a unit to carry out general road safety functions on his behalf.
§ Mr. Muddasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those local authorities with populations in excess of 100,000 that do not currently employ full-time road safety officers.
§ Mr. HoramStatutory responsibility for the promotion of road safety rests with county councils, the Greater London Council, London boroughs and the Common Council of the City of London. I am not aware of any such local authority in England which does not currently employ at least one full-time road safety officer.