§ 47. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what criteria he applies in consenting to applications to impose speed limits on principal roads.
§ Dr. GilbertThe accident record for the stretch of road, the speed within which the majority of motorists travel, and the character and environment of the road. These factors are explained in various roads circulars. I am sending copies to my hon. Friend.
§ 60. Dr. Glynasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the possibility that the temporary speed limit order of 1974 may have resulted in instances of genuine mistakes by motorists, if he will publish in theOfficial Report the number of prosecu- 872W tions and convictions resulting from these regulations; and if he will take these figures into consideration before reintroducing such regulations.
§ Dr. GilbertMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department informed the House on 21st July of the number of prosecutions in England and Wales in 1975 for exceeding the temporary speed limits. The number of resulting convictions was 11,587 for 50 m.p.h. roads and 13,074 for 60 m.p.h. roads. Information is not available as to how many of these offenders were exceeding 70 m.p.h. The question of enforcement will be taken into account when the future of the energy saving speed limits is reviewed.