§ 28. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Minister of Transport what contribution is made by his Department to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents; for what special purposes; and what steps are taken to ensure that these contributions are spent on purposes which have his approval.
Mr. BraithwaiteThe Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents received £72,317 from the Road Fund for 1952–53. Most of this was spent on the society's area organisation which assists local authorities to organise road safety education. The estimates of the society relating to such expenditure are subject to the approval of my Department and the accounts of actual expenditure are examined by my officers.
Mr. Vaneasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the recent series of accidents in which vehicles of abnormal size and weight have been involved; and whether he will consider modifying the present regulations governing the movement of such vehicles on the road.
Mr. BraithwaiteI am not aware that there has been a series of accidents of this kind. My hon. Friend may have particularly in mind the one which occurred at Ardrossan on 26th April, 1953, when a bridge over a railway line collapsed when being crossed by a very heavy load. An inquiry into this accident is to be held by an inspecting officer of railways, and my hon. Friend will not expect me to make any further statement until I have received and considered his report.
§ Wing Commander Bullusasked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet considered the Report of the Committee on Road Safety on motor cycle accidents: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydYes. I have considered the report and I am generally in agreement with its recommendations. I am attracted by the suggestion that the motor cycling driving test should be conducted by examiners on motor cycles as suggested by the committee, but I am not yet satisfied that the practical difficulties which this would involve can be overcome.