§ Major GLYNasked the Minister of Transport whether it is his intention to confer additional powers on rural district councils in regard to the control of heavy motor traffic on roads which by reason of their character and construction are unsuitable for heavy traffic in the Control of Road Vehicles Bill; and, if not, whether he will consider taking action in conjunction with the Minister of Health to give such powers to local authorities before the summer, and thus prevent further damage being done to roads for which the authorities have not the funds to maintain in a safe condition?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am considering in connection with the Road Vehicles Bill what extension is desirable of the existing powers with regard to restrictions on the use of heavy vehicles on particular roads, but I am not satisfied that any additional powers of this kind should be conferred on rural district councils as such.
§ Major GLYNasked the Prime Minister whether, before the Control of Road Vehicles Bill is introduced, and in view of the present cost of transport and the increase in expenditure by local authorities in recent years on roads, the Government will consider the advisability of appointing a Commission of Inquiry, independent of the Road Board and local authorities, to examine the effect of modern conditions of transport by road and rail of heavy materials, so that proposals may be formulated for the more equitable distribution of the cost of maintaining the roads and reducing the cost of transport by rail?
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§ Colonel ASHLEYI have been asked to reply. I can see no reason why the introduction of a Road Vehicles Bill, the main object of which will be the amendment and reinforcement of existing powers for the regulation and control of road vehicles, should await the result of an Inquiry of so comprehensive a scope as that indicated in the question.