§ Mr. Howardasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has anything to add to the information given by his hon. Friend the Member for Wallasey (Mrs. Chalker) about the accident on the M25 on 11 December.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe latest information available to me is that it is hoped to open both carriageways tomorrow morning, Thursday. Repairs are being carried out overnight.
Yesterday I said that a 30 mph limit had been in operation for all vehicles throughout the night. I made this statement on the information available to me at the time, but I am sorry to say that I have since learnt that this was not the case. My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary has called for full reports from the chief constables of Kent and Surrey. When these have been received, consideration will be given to what further action may be required. I repeat my assurance that my Department will examine all the data, using all relevant resources, to see what we can learn from this terrible tragedy.