22 FEBRUARY 1935, Page 3

The Ribbon-Builders' Triumph Nothing but harm will have been done

by the Govern- ment's allusion to ribbon development in the King's Speech unless a measure is introduced without further delay ; for every week that passes means intensified effort on the part of speculative builders to continue their 'exploitation of the roads before the Bill becomes law. The Prime Minister has repeatedly been pressed to say when legislation will be introduced. Last month he gave one hopeful reply which was taken to indicate that the 'Government really did mean to expedite matters. But a week ago; when further questioned, he could do no .better than refer to his earlier answers—all, with one exception,. non-committal, and none of them followed -by action. It is a sorry exhibition of ineffectiveness.

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