HC Deb 07 July 1908 vol 191 cc1467-8
MR. MARKHAM (Nottinghamshire, Mansfield)

On behalf of the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland, I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether any application has been received by the Local Government Board from any local authority in London to reduce the speed of motor cars in the public streets.

MR. JOHN BURNS

Representations have recently reached me from seven Metropolitan borough councils in favour of a reduced speed limit for motor vehicles in London. An application to the Local Government Board under Section 9 of the Motor Car Act, 1903, for a reduction of speed-limits must in London be made by the Common Council as regard the City, and by the County Council as regards the rest of London. The only formal application under the section for a reduced speed-limit in London was made by the Common Council in 1904. The proposal was, at the suggestion of the Board, allowed to stand over for twelve months, and it has not been renewed. No application has been made by the County Council.

CAPTAIN CRAIG (Down, E.)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any of the seven applications were sent in consequence of the speed of the hon. Member's own motor car for which he was fined?

MR. JOHN BURNS

I cannot say; and it would not have influenced me in the least.

MR. H. C. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the speed of motor omnibuses in some of the poorer and more crowded parts of London is a source of very great terror to the people, and especially to the children? Can he promise to bring in some legislation to allay that terror?

MR. JOHN BURNS

I am aware of the matter, and am glad to think that the Home Secretary and myself have done our best to render the condition of the London streets more safe than they were. I am happy to be able to say that a considerable improvement has taken place. While it is reported that in the first quarter of 1907 proceedings were taken against 418 motor vehicles, in the first quarter of the present year the number of prosecutions and convictions was 1,133.