HC Deb 02 April 1908 vol 187 cc677-8
MR. CATHCART WASON (Orkney and Shetland)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the risk to life and limb by the speed at which motor cars are driven on the roads belonging to the public, and to the damage done to the roads by heavy cars being driven at an excessive speed; and whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to stop racing on public roads.

MR. JOHN BURNS

My attention has been called to the matters referred to in the Question. I am considering whether anything can be done to prevent damage to roads by heavy motor cars. Driving motor cars at excessive speed is forbidden by law now. The administration of the law is practically a matter for the local police.

CAPTAIN CRAIG

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member who asked the Question was himself heavily fined for exceeding the speed limit?

MR. JOHN BURNS

That knowledge would not affect my interpretation of the law on the subject.

MR. CATHCART WASON

Has the right hon. Gentleman no jurisdiction about racing on public roads?

MR. JOHN BURNS

The question of racing on roads is entirely within the jurisdiction of the local police.

MR. STANLEY WILSON (Yorkshire, E.R. (Holderness)

Where is there any racing on roads?

[No Answer was returned.]