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Fog (Headlights)

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 12 February 1964.

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Photo of Mr Simon Digby Mr Simon Digby , West Dorset 12:00, 12 February 1964

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make the use of undipped headlights in daytime in fog compulsory.

Photo of Hon. Thomas Galbraith Hon. Thomas Galbraith , Glasgow Hillhead

Under the present law we cannot compel motor vehicles to use their headlights when there is fog in daytime. This, however, is what the Highway Code advises.

Photo of Mr Simon Digby Mr Simon Digby , West Dorset

May I ask my hon. Friend whether it is not the fact that during the recent fog, in the middle of the day an appeal was made to do what I am suggesting, and that if it had been made at the outset it might have prevented accidents? Is not there something to be said for making it part of the law of the land, as I believe it is in France?

Photo of Hon. Thomas Galbraith Hon. Thomas Galbraith , Glasgow Hillhead

My right hon. Friend would hope at the earliest convenient opportunity when there is future legislation to embody some such provision as this.

Mr. Gresham Cooke:

Would my hon. Friend also consider making it compulsory at night, because half the motorists in London seem to be mad enough to drive on their sidelights in circumstances of intense fog?

Photo of Hon. Thomas Galbraith Hon. Thomas Galbraith , Glasgow Hillhead

Certainly we shall consider that.

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.