40. Mr. T. THOMSONasked the Home Secretary whether, when preparing further legislation for lighting of road vehicles, he will favourably consider the possibility of securing adequate protection to the pedal cyclist by means of an improved reflector at the rear of the machine, in view of the great practical difficulties experienced by most cyclists in keeping a rear light burning, even when using the most modern lamps, owing to the close proximity of the lamp to the ground, which often is of a most uneven and bumpy character?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Mr. Neal)I have been asked to reply to this question. As I stated on 15th February, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley (Colonel Newman), legislation is under consideration dealing with the whole question of the lighting of road vehicles. The point raised by my hon. Friend was not overlooked by the Departmental Committee on Lights on 1064 Vehicles, whose Report, dated 11th February, 1920 (Command Paper 659), was unfavourable to its adoption.
Mr. THOMSONCould the hon. Gentleman, before coming to a decision, make a personal experiment himself to see the difficulties that arise in keeping in a rear light?
§ Mr. NEALI am informed that, given the adoption of a suitable lamp, some of which were produced to the Committee, that difficulty is not nearly so great as my hon. Friend suggests.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAve we to understand that any Regulation in connection with rear lights can be introduced without this House having a previous opportunity of discussing it?