HC Deb 21 December 1908 vol 198 cc2361-2
Mr. BOWERMAN (Deptford)

To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in agreement with the powers possessed by the Board, he will consider the desirability of making a regulation compelling all mechanically-driven vehicles, such as motor-cars, motor omnibuses, and electric tramcars, to carry speedometers, so that the public may be safeguarded against the risks attendant upon reckless driving, and the drivers of such vehicles protected against charges of exceeding the speed-limit.

(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) Perhaps I may be allowed to answer this Question. The Royal Commission on Motor Cars considered a number of suggestions as to speed indicators or speedometers, but came to the conclusion that they could not recommend that the adoption of them in respect to motor-cars should be made compulsory. I have not seen my way to depart from the recommendations of the Royal Commission in this matter. I have no jurisdiction in the matter so far as tramcars are concerned, but I understand that the Board of Trade are suggesting to tramway authorities that a proportion of their cars should be fitted with speed indicators for training purposes, so as to enable motor-men to be trained in judging speeds.