asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the many accidents which have occurred in towns this winter owing to icy roads, he will advise all local authorities that every effort should be made by them to de-ice roads as quickly as possible.

I am satisfied that local highway authorities are already sufficiently aware of the dangers of icy roads, and in general take all practicable steps to deal with them. The difficulty is shortage of labour which sometimes causes delay especially in times of alternate thaw and frost.