§ Mr. Hal Millerasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to bring forward proposals to implement the Armitage report.
§ Mr. David Howell:I have already announced measures to implement the great majority of the recommendations of the Armitage report. these include more bypasses; action on lorry routeing, lorry action areas and lorry depots; higher safety and noise standards; stricter enforcement; and more encouragement for rail and waterway freight where their use makes environmental sense. In addition, I intend very soon to announce detailed proposals on lorry weights; these changes, by allowing
458Wlorries to run with fuller payloads, will also help to contain the effects of lorries on the environment, besides providing substantial economic benefits.