Traffic Signs.

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 20 March 1935.

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Photo of Captain William Strickland Captain William Strickland , Coventry

21.

asked the Minister of Transport in view of the fact that the departmental committee on traffic signs recommended that all traffic notices, sign posts, and signs should be displayed at the eye level of the motorist and in conspicuous type of lettering, what steps he proposes to take to carry this safeguard into effect?

Photo of Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha , Plymouth, Devonport

Highway authorities have been instructed to have regard to the recommendations of the Committee to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I would remind him that the Committee did not recommend that signs should in all cases be erected at eye level, regardless of circumstances. If he would bring to my notice any case where signs have been erected otherwise than in accordance with the Committee's recommendations, I will have inquiries made.

Photo of Captain William Strickland Captain William Strickland , Coventry

Is it not a fact that the Committee recommended that the ideal height for the statuory traffic sign is at the normal eye level, and is the hon. Member aware from actual experience of driving on the roads that the new 30-miles speed limit signs are placed at such a height that unless the motorist has his headlights on at full they cannot be seen, because there is no reflection, and will he see that the instruction he has already given apparently to the highway authorities to follow the instructions of the Departmental Committee are enforced by him?

Photo of Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha , Plymouth, Devonport

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is wrong in attributing that view to the Committee. It recommends that in towns and other places, where signs erected at a height of 3 feet 6 inches are liable to be obscured or to cause an obstruction, a clearance of 6 feet 9 inches should be allowed.

Photo of Colonel Leonard Ropner Colonel Leonard Ropner , Barkston Ash

27.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that paragraph 2 of the traffic-sign directions issued by him under the Road Traffic Act, 1934, to the effect that the de-restriction sign shall be erected on each lamp-post along a de-restricted road, is not being complied with on the Barnet and Croydon by-pass roads; and what steps he is taking to remedy this without delay?

Photo of Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha , Plymouth, Devonport

While de-restriction signs have not yet been erected on every lamp-post on the roads in question, I am advised that the remainder will be in position in the course of a few days.

Photo of Sir William Brass Sir William Brass , Clitheroe

How does my hon. Friend reconcile that statement with the undertaking he gave when the Prayer was being discussed on a recent night?

Photo of Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha , Plymouth, Devonport

I do Hot think that I gave any undertaking covering this point. This refers to signs on every lamp-post.

Photo of Sir William Brass Sir William Brass , Clitheroe

Did my hon. Friend give an undertaking during the Debate on the Prayer that there would be a de-restriction sign on every lamp-post and in every area?

Photo of Sir William Brass Sir William Brass , Clitheroe

But they are not there.

Minister

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.