§ CAPTAIN DAWSON-DAMERsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether that structure called a semaphore, on the crossing near the Houses of Parliament, is conducive to the safety of the public; and, if not, whether he will give instructions for its removal? It was his intention, at an early day, to make some observations relative to the so-called fountain at the corner of Great George Street, Westminster.
MR. BRUCEsaid, in reply, that before the commencement of every Session an order was issued to the Chief Commissioner of Police requiring him to take measures to secure convenient access to the House for hon. Members, and also for their safety. Up to this time the method adopted had been to station at the principal crossings policemen, who endeavoured, at very great risk to themselves, to stop the great mass of vehicles sometimes collected in those thoroughfares, so as to allow of safe transit. During the last Session a policeman died of the injuries he received at one of those crossings, and two Members of Parliament were knocked down. He understood that the signal which was intended to obviate these dangers, by giving better notice to vehicles than could be afforded by the out-stretched arms of a single policeman, had been partially successful. The signal was obeyed by the drivers of omnibuses and cabs, who were familiar with it, and it was beginning to be obeyed by the less intelligent drivers 1089 of otter vehicles. The general result was that although the signal had not been completely successful, yet, in the opinion of the district superintendent, it conduced considerably to the convenience and safety of the public, and that officer was so strongly impressed with its advantages that he recommended its adoption in other districts. For himself, he hoped that it would prove useful; for he could not venture to assert that it was ornamental.