§ 82. Sir G. Foxasked the Minister of Transport if he will now state what detailed plans have been made for avoiding any hold-up of road transport during the forthcoming winter as a result of roads 149W being blocked with ice and snow; and whether arrangements have been made for a supply of steel to be available for the manufacture of snow ploughs.
§ Mr. CallaghanThe whole organisation for snow clearance has been reviewed since last winter. Grants are being made to highway authorities to buy additional snow clearing equipment and steel for snow ploughs has been made available; there will also be more snow clearing equipment for trunk roads. Public service vehicles fitted with snow ploughs will help if needed and light snowploughs suitable for tractors are being issued to farmers. Service Departments are to cooperate with highway authorities in emergencies and plans have been made for the necessary manpower. The Meteorological Office have undertaken to give advance snow warnings to the principal highway authorities and to include such warnings in broadcast weather reports.