§ MR. HAROLD COXI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the number of deaths caused by motor-vehicles within the Metropolitan Police District has risen steadily from six per annum in 1902 to 123 per annum in 1907, and that the number of persons injured has increased in the same period from 319 per annum to 5,362; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent further loss of life and limb from this cause.
§ *MR. GLADSTONEI am aware of the figures which the hon. Member quotes. I must point out that he includes accidents from tramcars driven by motor-power, which accounted for 22 of the fatal accidents and 2,119 of the non-fatal for 1907; and that, owing to the great increase in the number of motor vehicles, an increase in the number of accidents caused by them was inevitable. But the number of accidents is very serious, and the subject receives the constant attention of the police, who do all in their power to prevent them, and, when they are the result of dangerous or negligent driving, to bring the offenders to book.
§ MR. HAROLD COXMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has any control over London County Council tramcars, and if he is aware that they sometimes exceed the speed limit?
§ *MR. GLADSTONENo, Sir. That rests with the Board of Trade.
§ MR. MACKARNESSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a man was killed in Whitehall the other day by a 1698 motor-car which was admitted by the driver to be going at sixteen miles an hour?
§ *MR. GLADSTONEPerhaps my hon. friend will supply me with particulars of the case.