HC Deb 30 July 1912 vol 41 cc1838-40
64. Mr. KELLAWAY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any official information as to whether the drivers of motor omnibuses in London are paid according to the number of miles run; and, if such a practice does prevail, will he, in the interest of safety in the streets, consider the advisability of introducing legislation to prevent such a method of payment?

Mr. McKENNA

There is no official information on the subject, but it is known that the large omnibus companies pay their drivers at a fixed daily rate irrespective of mileage. Every omnibus works to a time table, which must be strictly adhered to, and which a recent investigation proved to work out at an average speed of 8.5 miles an hour.

66. Mr. KELLAWAY

asked how many persons have been killed in London by motor omnibuses and tramcars, respectively, since the 30th of June?

Mr. McKENNA

During the four weeks ending the 27th of this month, ten persons were killed within the Metropolitan Police District by motor omnibus accidents, and three by tramcar accidents.

67. Mr. KELLAWAY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the fact that, at an inquest held at the Paddington Coroner's Court on 23rd July on the body of a milkman who was killed by a motor omnibus whilst cycling on his round, the widow of the deceased was not represented, that the man's employers were not represented, and that the coroner refused to allow a representative of the Public Safety League in Streets and Roads to put questions to the witnesses or to put questions through the Court; and whether, having regard to the increase in the death roll caused by these omnibuses, he will arrange for the Home Office to be represented at the inquests, or will issue a circular to the London coroners expressing a wish that they allow societies whose object is to decrease the peril of the streets to be represented at such inquests?

Mr. McKENNA

I am informed by the coroner that both the widow and the employer had ample notice of the inquest; and that the widow was not represented, but the employer's insurance company was legally represented in Court. A gentleman who wished to criticise some of the evidence was told that he had no locus standi, but that he might put questions through the coroner. When asked at a later stage whether he wished to put any question, he made no reply. After the inquest was over, this gentleman said he was getting up a society. Whether persons not connected with the case should be allowed to put questions is, as a rule, within the coroner's discretion, and I am not prepared to issue any circular of the nature suggested. It does not appear to me that it is ordinarily necessary for the Home Office to be represented at inquests of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend.

Mr. KELLAWAY

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that in a case like this, where on the one side there is a poor widow unrepresented, and on the other side a wealthy combine, that somebody should be represented in order to secure the interests of the public?

Mr. McKENNA

The coroner is supposed to look after the interests of the public, and I believe does so.