§ Mr. WATTasked whether the regulations for motors in the Metropolitan area include penalties for the emission of thick smoke from the exhaust; and, if so, whether the police have instructions to carry out this regulation rigorously, or to neglect it altogether?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLOutside the Royal parks, there is no power under existing statutes to make regulations imposing penalties in such a case. The Metropolitan police can and do take disciplinary action in the case of motor cabs and motor omnibuses discharging smoke from the exhaust, since a condition of their licensing is that "the lubrication of the engine or the carburation of the working mixture must be so controlled that smoke it not projected with the exhaust, or from any other part." But, in the present state of the law, legal proceedings cannot successfully be taken against drivers of motor vehicles, where the emission of smoke is due to any temporary or accidental cause, which I understand is practically always the case.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThere are many cases ripe for legislation, but I do not think I am in a position to promise any.