Oral Answers to Questions — Motor Traffic. – in the House of Commons am ar 28 Gorffennaf 1925.
Sir Lewis Lougher
, Canol Caerdydd
asked the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the heavy cost of road maintenance and the damage done to road surfaces by un cushioned vehicular loads, he will initiate legislation to cause all heavy vehicles to be fitted with rubber tyres?
Lieut-Colonel Wilfrid Ashley
, New Forest and Christchurch
The nature of the tyre is only one of several closely related factors which must be taken into account in connection with damage done to road surfaces by vehicular traffic. I do not at present propose to initiate legislation imposing a general restriction of this nature, though I am taking steps to discourage as far as possible the use of uncushioned tyres.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in America vehicles over 10,000 pounds weight are prohibited if they have only metal tyres, and does he not think that legislation on those lines would help us in this country?
Lieut-Colonel Wilfrid Ashley
, New Forest and Christchurch
Yes, I do know that, and I am taking steps to discourage the use of uncushioned tyres.
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.
