HC Deb 04 May 1905 vol 145 cc924-5
CAPTAIN DONELAN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what authority regulates motorcar traffic between Hyde Park Corner and Kew Bridge; what is the maximum speed permitted by the regulations and what steps are taken to enforce obedience to the regulations.

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

The Metropolitan Police control motor-car traffic between Hyde Park Corner and Kew Bridge. The maximum speed permissible is twenty miles an hour, as provided by Section 9 of the Act of 1903. The police take action against persons who infringe i that section or Section 1, which prohibits the driving of a car to the common danger.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

asked whether the existing conditions were to prevail: until more children were murdered.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Are we to understand that motor-cars may actually drive at twenty miles an hour between Hyde Park Corner and Kew Bridge?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I am prepared to make the fullest inquiry into the matter if the hon. Member will put a Question on the Paper.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

This is a question of speed. Are they allowed to go at twenty miles an hour at this place?

MR. AKERS - DOUGLAS

Twenty miles is the maximum.

SIR JOHN GORST (Cambridge University)

asked over what part of the route between Hyde Park Corner and Kew Bridge a car could be driven at twenty miles an hour without common danger.

MR. CAWLEY

Was the London County Council refused permission to regulate the traffic at a lower speed than twenty miles an hour?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

That really does not arise out of the Question. In answer to my right hon. friend, I would say that there are hours of the day and night when a car can safely go at a higher speed than at other times.

MR. CHANNING

Are these regulations made by the Home Office?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

I must ask for notice of further Questions. I have every desire to give all the information I can, but I do not want to do it by way of chance Answers to supplementary Questions.

CAPTAIN DONELAN

But I distinctly asked in my Question what authority regulates the motor traffic at this spot?

MR. AKERS-DOUGLAS

The Metropolitan Police.