HC Deb 25 October 1906 vol 163 cc417-8
MR. MARKHAM

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Homo Department whether his attention has been drawn to a letter, dated 13th July, by the Commissioner of Police, in which this officer stated that, owing to the weight of public opinion, he intended to exercise more stringently his powers and to show less indulgence to owners of motor cars who broke the law in respect to petrol smoke, noise, and speed; whether he has at any time given the Commissioner of Police a discretional power in this matter; and, if not, will he instruct this officer that his duties are to administer the law as enacted by Parliament.

*MR. GLADSTONE

I am aware of: the letter referred to by the hon. Member. It seems to me that the Commissioner of Police is bound to administer such powers as he possesses with discretion, and that in the early days of motor cars defects might be condoned which if found at a later date to be avoidable would properly cause the withdrawal of the licence. I agree with Sir Edward Henry's view that the circumstances now call for a more stringent enforcement of the law.

MR. MARKHAM

This Answer was given six months ago.

*MR. GLADSTONE

No.

MR. MARKHAM

Well, the letter was written six months ago.