– in the House of Commons at on 6 March 1929.
Sir Frank Meyer
, Great Yarmouth
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that Regulation 6 of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations of 19th April, 1928, is framed in such a way as to deprive the chief officer of police of an area of any real powers to dispense with the lighting of vehicles standing at parking places; and whether he is prepared to issue revised Regulations?
Lieut-Colonel Wilfrid Ashley
, New Forest and Christchurch
I cannot agree with the conclusion drawn by the hon. Member in the first part of the question. The only limitations upon the powers of the chief officer of police are:
(1) That the parking place must not be on a part of the highway which is ordinarily used for the passing and repassing of vehicles, and
(2) That the parking place must be adequately lit.
These two conditions are, in my opinion, essential in the interests of public safety.
Sir Frank Meyer
, Great Yarmouth
May I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman whether he does not think the words "ordinarily used for the passing and repassing of vehicles" restrict the police from allowing unlighted vehicles at any parking place, because it is obvious that vehicles have to pass to get there? Does not the inclusion of these words make the whole intention of the Act nugatory?
Lieut-Colonel Wilfrid Ashley
, New Forest and Christchurch
I think the wording of the Regulations was not meant to have that effect. I am as anxious as anybody that the provisions of the Act of last year shall be carried out in their entirety. Possibly the best thing would be for me to confer with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on the whole matter.
Sir Frank Meyer
, Great Yarmouth
When conferring with the Home Secretary, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider whether it is possible to allow one lamp only to be used for parking purposes instead of three as at present, that is, the rear light and two lights in front?
Mr Frederick Macquisten
, Argyll
Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider whether in cases where a row of vehicles are standing the lighting of the foremost and rearmost is not enough? Even in a cul-de-sac, beside a picture house, people are made to turn on all their lights, and these are exhausted by the time the people come out of the picture house?
Lieut-Colonel Charles Howard-Bury
, Chelmsford
Has not my right hon. and gallant Friend power to make regulations—
Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy
, Daventry
We cannot have a debate on this subject.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
