§ 51. Mr. KELLAWAYasked how many persons have been killed by motor omnibuses and electric trams, respectively, in the Metropolitan area since the 1st of January, 1912?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Commissioner of Police informs me that 118 persons were killed by motor omnibuses and twenty-one by electric trams from 1st January last to yesterday, inclusive.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYCan the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether any inquiry other than the inquiry of the Coroner's Court was held into the causes of those 118 deaths by motor 'buses?
§ Mr. McKENNAI think my hon. Friend should give me notice of that question, and I will have inquiries made.
§ 52. Mr. KELLAWAYasked how many new licences have been issued for motor omnibuses in London this year?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe number of licences issued during the nine months ended 30th September, 1912, was 1,949. I am informed, however, that many of the licences issued during the end of last year and the early part of 1912 were in respect of vehicles of an old type since permanently withdrawn.
§ 53. Mr. KELLAWAYasked the right hon. Gentleman if he has seen the resolutions passed by borough councils and other public bodies in London, calling attention to the increase in the number of persons killed by motor omnibuses; to the damage which such omnibuses cause to property; to the unsuitability of many of the routes through which they run; to the excessive speed at which they are often driven; and to the failure of the present system of traffic control by the Home Office to remedy any of these evils; and whether he proposes to introduce any reform?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have seen the resolutions referred to, and the whole matter, so far as it concerns the public safety, is engaging my attention. I will confer with the Commissioner of Police as to whether any further action by the police is possible; but it must be remembered that neither the Commissioner nor the Home Office has any power to control the omnibus routes or to deal with questions of damage.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYIs it not within the power of the Commissioner to decide how many licences shall be issued to such people?
§ Mr. McKENNAI believe that to be so. I would rather have notice of the question.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that there is 350 a lever by which pressure can be put on the company that is killing all these people?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe question is engaging the immediate attention both of the Chief Commissioner and of the Home Office.
§ Mr. W. O'BRIENCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether anybody has been seriously punished—whether anybody has been hanged or sent to penal servitude?
§ Mr. McKENNAI do not know if Police Court proceedings have been taken, but if those were cases of unjustifiable homicide proceedings would certainly be taken.
§ Mr. C. DUNCANCan the right hon. Gentleman ascertain which of the companies that run motor 'buses has killed the most people?