§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork County E)On behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Blackrock Urban District Council have passed a resolution expressing its disapproval of the speed allowed to motor-cars when driving through the streets and on the high roads of the district; and whether he will make inquiries into this complaint and consult with the authorities respecting the precautions to be taken to protect the public.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe district council has been in correspondence in this matter with the Chief Commissioner of Dublin Metropolitan Police, who pointed out that the legal limit of speed, namely, 20 miles an hour, prescribed by the Motor Car Act of 1903, has not been exceeded. Section 9 of the Act empowers the Local Government Board, on the application of the local authority, to make regulations limiting the rate of speed to ten miles a hour. It rests with the local authority to determine whether it should make the necessary application in this respect to the Local Government Board.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANHow many casualties are necessary to induce the Government to take some really effective steps to regulate the speed?
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt does not rest with the Government. It is for the local authorities to make application to the Local Government Board if they wish the special limit reduced. If cars are driven recklessly or negligently the police can take action even though the limit of speed be not exceeded.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANWill applications be favourably considered?
§ MR. WYNDHAMLet them make it.