§ MR. PARKER SMITH (Lanark, Partick)I 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; what powers the police have to prevent vehicles plying the streets which are a source of danger to the public; and whether he will take measures to insure that 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?
§ MR. ASQUITHThe number of accidents by covered vans in London and known to the police during the year 1892 are 646–18 of which were fatal. I have no means of obtaining the information asked in the second paragraph. Except in the cabs and omnibuses the control of the police only extends to the manner in which vehicles are driven.