HC Deb 20 June 1910 vol 18 cc19-20
Sir CLEMENT KINLOCH-COOKE

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been drawn to the rest erected recently at the east end of Mount Street; whether he is aware that the position is considered dangerous by the police authorities; that no conveyance can draw up opposite the rest without great danger to the occupants, if any, that when a conveyance does draw up opposite the rest the entire traffic of the street has to be diverted to the wrong side of the road; and that, for a public conveyance of any kind to draw up opposite the rest for the-purpose of setting down or taking up passengers is regarded by cabmen as a breach of the police regulations; whether he will say by whose authority the rest was erected in its present position; whether the police authorities were consulted; and whether any correspondence has passed between the Westminster City Council and the police authorities on the subject, and with what result?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The provision of a refuge at the junction of Mount Street and Berkeley Square was required in the interests of pedestrians on account of the considerable volume of fast wheeled traffic; but it is doubtful if the exact spot chosen was the best available, having regard to the interests also of residents of houses facing the refuge. The Commissioner of Police has suggested to the Westminster City Council a change in the position of the refuge, which would, in his opinion, make it equally effective for the protection of pedestrians, while removing a hardship felt by certain residents, before whose doors carriages cannot under existing circumstances set down The Westminster City Council at present do not see their way to comply with this recommendation.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly inform the House whether the rest as now placed is dangerous to the public, and whether it does not interfere with the public and is a public nuisance and danger?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I have no knowledge of the particular refuge in question, but the question on the Paper, I think, is already answered.