§ Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport upon what date it was reported to his regional office in Nottingham that official 50 mph signs had been erected in the village of South Luffenham, Rutland; why they have since been removed; what has been the cost to public funds; and whether he will order a departmental inquiry into the procedures involved in erecting speed limits.
§ Mr. Chope[holding answer 18 February 1992]: My Department was not aware that 50 mph speed limit signs had been erected and subsequently removed; nor is it aware of the costs incurred. The A6121, which runs through South Luffenham is a local road and, as such, is not the responsibility of my Department. The Secretary of State's involvement is confined to giving consent to any speed limit promoted by the local highway authority, Leicestershire county council. No consent has been granted in this case.
The system for implementing speed limits is clearly laid down and I do not consider that an inquiry into the procedures involved in erecting speed limit signs is necessary.