§ 72. Mr. Russellasked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that considerable traffic congestion occurred in North-West London on 11th November when a section of steel pipe about 100 feet long was transported towards London at a speed of about five miles per hour; and if he will take steps to ensure that industry sends such awkward and slow-moving loads only at night or weekends when the traffic is much less.
Mr. BraithwaiteThis load was moved under police control and its main movement across London in fact took place at night. For a distance of some five miles along the Barnet By-pass it had to be moved by day because movement by night was considered undesirable along this unlit road. Consideration is always given to the possibility of moving such loads by night or at weekends, but on occasions it is necessary to move them at other times. I am satisfied that the matter can be left to the discretion of the police.