§ Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware that the provisional total of road accident casualties last year is the highest since the year preceding the introduction of the 30-miles-per-hour speed limit; and whether, as the great majority of accidents occur in built-up areas, he will give renewed attention to the question of the speed limit and see that an expanded programme for the improvement of town roads by the installation of modern road lighting, non-skid road surfaces and pedestrian-actuated traffic signals is put in hand at once.
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§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterYes. As previously announced, I have asked the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee to review speed limit restrictions in the London Traffic Area. I will consider whether there should be a country-wide review when I have its report. I am anxious to encourage local authorities, whose responsibility it is, to provide more or improved street lighting so far as their financial position allows; and within the limits of available funds I assist in providing new or improved lighting on trunk roads. While at most controlled crossings push-buttons are not practicable, they are included wherever it is thought desirable and possible. As regards non-skid surfaces I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to his Question on this subject today.
§ Mr. Pageasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent effective non-skid treatment is being applied to road surfaces; and what information he can give as to the reduction of accidents where the treatment has been applied.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterNon-skid materials of several types are widely used for new surfaces and for treating surfaces which have become slippery. These materials are found to reduce appreciably the proportion of accidents directly due to skidding, and the whole question is under continuous study by my Department and by the Road Research Laboratory.