Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many road traffic accidents in Scotland in each of the last three years were caused on motorways or dual carriageways as a result of an absence of central barriers.
Lord James Douglas HamiltonThe absence of central barriers is not itself a cause of road traffic accidents. The
338WScotland in each of the years 1983 to 1987, inclusive, and for each assisted area of function so designated to receive such funds.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythA detailed breakdown of receipts from the European agricultural guarantee and guidance fund is not available in the form requested. The table shows EAGGF receipts for the financial years 1983–84 to 1987–88 inclusive in respect of expenditure under various schemes.
To these amounts should be added the Scottish share of market support expenditure incurred by the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce—in the current year estimated to be of the order of £920 million.
§ Mr. LangThe information requested is not available by assisted area. The following table gives a breakdown by region.
number of accidents involving vehicles crossing the central reservation of a motorway or dual carriageway in the last three years is as follows.
339W
Year Motorway Dual carriageway Total 1985 25 55 80 1986 22 46 68 1987 18 50 68
Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many miles of(a) motorway and (b) dual carriageway in Scotland have no central barriers; and, of each of these, how many have barriers planned.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton104 miles of motorway and 204 miles of dual carriageway do not have central barriers at present. As a matter of policy central barriers are installed automatically on all new sections of motorway and dual carriageway. So far as existing sections of road are concerned, motorways are receiving highest priority. On dual carriageways, barriers are installed as opportunity arises in connection with other works and provision will be extended in due course to locations where it can he justified, taking account of traffic volumes and the incidence of crossover accidents.