§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Minister of Transport in connection with the Road Research Laboratory survey, what weather conditions affected the year of study 1964; and over what period icy conditions prevailed in that year.
§ Mr. Marsh:I presume the hon. Lady is referring to the Road Research Laboratory's estimate of the effects of British Standard Time on road accidents.
The weather conditions during the relevant months of 1964 were not exceptional. In any case, the weather in 1964 was not relevant to the study; the estimates of the effect of darkness on accidents were calculated from accident rates at different times of day in earlier years.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Minister of Transport what investigations the Road Research Laboratory at Crowthorn, Berkshire, made into Scottish road conditions; how often they carried out tests in Scotland; when these tests were carried out and where; and how many tests were carried out in Scotland during winter months.
§ Mr. Marsh:The Road Research Laboratory maintains a group of eight scientific staff, permanently based in Scotland, who undertake a variety of investigations on Scottish roads. It is not possible to enumerate all the work undertaken by this Group.