HC Deb 11 May 1908 vol 188 cc724-5
SIR HENRY CRAIK (Glasgow and Aberdeen Universities)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, under the Burgh Police Act in Scotland, and under various local Acts in England powers are given to Scottish municipal authorities, and to various provincial municipalities in England to prescribe the routes to be followed within their boundaries by different kinds of traffic; and whether there is any objection to the grant of similar powers to municipal authorities in the metropolis.

MR. GLADSTONE

I am aware that such powers exist under the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act, 1892, and under certain local Acts in Scotland; and there are probably a few cases in which similar powers are given in England under old local Acts. But I see serious objections to the hon. Member's suggestion as regards the Metropolis. The Royal Commission on Locomotion and Transport in London stated in their Report that "it would be impossible to confer the necessary powers" for the general control of locomotion and transport in London "on the London County Council or any other existing local authority or body"; and, if the power were given to the Metropolitan Borough Councils, the exclusion of traffic, such as that of motor omnibuses, from one road and its diversion to another by orders of the various authorities would give rise to constant friction and grievance.

SIR HENRY CRAIK

asked if any such friction had arisen in the case of municipalities in Scotland where similar powers were exercised.

MR. GLADSTONE

replied that, as the hon. Member knew, the conditions which attached to municipal authorities in Scotland were different from those which attached to municipal authorities in London.

SIR HENRY CRAIK

In what way?

MR. GLADSTONE

Because you have in London nearly thirty different authorities with different jurisdictions.

SIR HENRY CRAIK

Is it to be understood that the authorities in the Metropolis do not possess over the traffic the powers which are granted to every burgh in Scotland and many municipalities in England?

MR. GLADSTONE

I can only refer the hon. Member to the authority of the Royal Commission.