HC Deb 12 July 1954 vol 530 c8W
80. Mr. Deedes

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what guidance his Department have sent to local authorities on the use of toxic sprays on roadside verges; and what research into this problem is being conducted by institutions under his control.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In August, 1951, county councils were advised by my Department, at the request of the Ministry of Agriculture, of the need for caution in the use of weed-killing sprays on roadside verges. Similar cautionary advice, in rather more detail, has continued to be given to highway authorities through my divisional road engineers as occasion has arisen. Research on my behalf was begun in Gloucestershire in 1953 by the Road Research Laboratory, with the help of the county council, and is still continuing.

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