Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 6 March 1935.
Miss WARD:
26.asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interest of promoting greater road safety, he will consider the compulsory use of microphone-amplifiers on lorries, the use of tow-signs, and the desirability of painting yellow lines to indicate an approach to a main road?
Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha
, Plymouth, Devonport
I have no evidence that the compulsory use of microphone-amplifiers or of tow-signs would reduce road accidents. The "Major Road Ahead" sign is already authorised for the purpose of indicating the appoach to a main road.
Sir William Brass
, Clitheroe
Is my hon. Friend aware that it is the law in France for all new lorries to carry these amplifiers at the back in order that the drivers may know when a car is about to overtake them?
Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha
, Plymouth, Devonport
That may be the law in France, but I have no evidence before me that it would restrict accidents in this country. If any evidence is brought before me, I think my hon. and gallant Friend knows that I should be only too happy to consider it.
Sir William Brass
, Clitheroe
Will my hon. Friend consider sending someone from his Department over to France to study the matter?
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.
