§ Mr. LOVAT-FRASERasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the lack of co-operation between local authorities and gas, light and water companies in London, and of the inconvenience and annoyance caused to the ratepayers by the laying down of streets and the tearing up of them at short intervals; and if he will take steps to introduce co-ordination in this matter?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONThere is already a measure of co-ordination under the London Traffic Act, 1924, between local authorities and statutory undertakers having power to break up streets. Substantial works of road maintenance and improvement in streets prescribed under Section 4 of that Act, which include the main traffic routes in the London traffic area, may only be carried out in such order and at such times as may be determined in a scheme to be drawn up by me. The undertakers concerned are advised of the dates of such road works so that any works they may propose can be carried out at the same time, and upon the completion of the road works it is unlawful for such undertakers to break1182W up the street within the ensuing 12 months, except with my consent or in case of emergency.