§ Mr. REMNANTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the scouts of the Automobile Association were authorised by him to share in the control of the motor traffic on our roads; and, if so, whether the Government made any Grant towards the expense of this service?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe answer to both questions is in the negative.
§ Mr. REMNANTasked on what authority the scouts of the Automobile Association were permitted to use our roads for the purpose of interfering with the police and preventing them from carrying out the law with regard to motor traffic, and so safeguarding the lives and liberties of the poorer members of our population?
§ Mr. McKENNANo permission is required for these scouts to use the roads for any lawful purpose, and if they act illegally they are open to prosecution. My predecessor informed the hon. Member in November, 1910, that no recent complaints concerning them had reached him, and 584 none have since been received. So far as the Metropolitan Police district is concerned, the Commissioner tells me that the only scouts of the association stationed in the district are those posted for the protection of motorists at dangerous crossroads, hills, stretches of unrolled metal, and so on, where their presence may make for the safety of the public.
§ Mr. REMNANTDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that interference with the police is a lawful use of the roads?
§ Mr. LYELLAs a matter of fact, was not a prosecution instituted against the scouts on the grounds of interference with the police, and the prosecution failed?
§ Mr. McKENNAIf they did interfere with the police I should assume that they were committing an offence. In the particular case to which my hon. Friend refers, it was proved that they were not interfering.
§ Sir CHARLES HENRYDo not the-police admit that these scouts very often help them in their work?
§ Mr. McKENNAThey do, I believe.
§ Mr. REMNANTOn what occasion have they ever corroborated the right hon. Gentleman's statement.