§ MR. BERESFORD MELVILLE (Stockport)I beg to ask the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to a verdict of manslaughter given in the case of a bicyclist who was killed at Stockport by a cart driven at night without lights; and whether he will be prepared to introduce a Bill to enforce the carrying of lights, and prevent similar accidents in the future?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYMy attention has not been called to this case otherwise than by the hon. Member's Question. I am afraid I cannot undertake to introduce a Bill as suggested by him; but a Bill dealing with the subject is already before the House and has obtained a Second Reading, and under the existing law Borough and County Councils have ample powers of dealing with the matter by means of bye-laws, powers which in many cases have been exercised.
§ *MR. PERCY THORNTON (Clapham)asked whether it was not the fact that 170 there was no lights bye-law at Stockport, although one existed where the accident occurred, and whether the right hon. Gentleman would not take some measures to enforce uniformity in the carrying of lights?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYsaid that had the cart at Stockport carried a light it was very probable the accident would not have happened. He understood his hon. Friend desired general legislation on the subject. The hon. Gentleman's own Bill had been read a Second time and he must leave the House to deal with it.