LORD MORRISasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will take effective steps now to compel county councils in general, and those of Berkshire and Wiltshire in particular, to make some attempt to honour their contracts as agents of the Ministry of Transport for the laying of grit and salt on roads when weather conditions demand, thus reducing the vast number of avoidable accidents which were occasioned last winter by icy road sur 870WA faces and by the idleness and neglect of the councils concerned.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETAY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD LINDGREN)My right honourable friend is satisfied that his trunk road agent authorities are fully alive to the importance of keeping the roads free of ice and snow. He sees no justification at all for the suggestion made by the noble Lord as to the performance last winter of the Berkshire and Wiltshire County Councils or any other of the agent authorities.
House adjourned at twenty-three minutes past seven o'clock.