MR. PARKER SMITHI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can state the number of accidents caused by hooded vans in London during the year; whether vans, in which the driver is entirely surrounded on three sides, are permitted in any other city in the country; and whether he will take measures to insure that proper precautions are insisted on by which, in all vehicles plying the streets, the driver shall be able to have a sufficient view at the sides to prevent danger of collision with other vehicles or of running over foot passengers?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH, Fife, E.)With reference to the first and second paragraphs of the hon. Member's question, I am unable to give an answer, but am in communication with the Commissioner of Police. With reference to the third paragraph, the police have no power to enforce regula- 1707 tions requiring the driver of a van to be seated on any particular part of it, or that the van should be furnished with windows.