§ MR. COGHILL (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, for 1889, that during that twelve months no fewer than 5,330 persons were run over by vehicles in the streets of the Metropolis and maimed and injured, and that 140 persons were run over and killed; and whether he contemplates taking any steps, by legislation or other 304 wise, to ensure a better and safer regulation of street traffic?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS, Birmingham, E.)Yes, Sir; the figures are correctly quoted, and they are extremely serious. The matter is receiving the careful attention of the Commissioner of Police, who already employs a large number of police in regulating the traffic and protecting foot passengers. Should he find that the powers of the police are insufficient to cope with the difficulties of an ever-increasing traffic, he has promised to lay before me suggestions for securing better and safer regulations.