asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider seeking powers to ensure that rural roads with traffic flows exceeding 3,000 passenger-carrying units per day have edge markings.

No, Sir.

I regard that as a most unsatisfactory—

Order. The hon. Member must ask a question.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the answer given by my hon. Friend, may I point out to him—

No. The hon. Member must question him.

May I point out the large number of accidents that occur on rural roads in comparison, for example, with motorways? Is there not an ideal opportunity, with the Road Traffic Bill now going through the House of Lords, to remedy this defect, since at present it is not mandatory on local authorities to supply such markings?

We must be flexible about this. There are other criteria. This is a question of 3,000 passenger units per day and flows. We are carrying out research at the Transport and Road Research Laboratory which will allow us to progress on this matter, but at the moment I prefer to leave the flexibility with the local authority.