§ 71. Mr. KELLAWAYasked the Home Secretary if he has received a petition asking for a reduction in the penalty of £5 5S. and £6 costs imposed on John Nolan, a resident in Chelverton Road, Putney, for breaking the windows of motor omnibuses; if he is aware that a petition, signed by the inhabitants, was sent to the Chief Commissioner of Police, complaining that owing to the motor omnibuses sleep was impossible before 1.30 a.m.; houses were shaken and damaged and tenants were driven away; if he is aware that repeated representations to the motor omnibus company had no effect; and whether, in view of these facts, he can see his way to reduce the penalty?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)I have received a petition, and have made inquiry in this case. I am informed that Mr. Nolan is a highly respectable resident, and that he broke the windows of the omnibuses in order to show his resentment at the noise caused by the traffic in his street. Mr. Nolan's act, however, was a serious breach of the law, and there is no sufficient ground for advising interference with the sentence. I may add that the police have no power to limit the use of public roads by omnibuses.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that unless the police protect the public against this trust, the public will take the law into their own hands?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs I have said, the police have no power to limit the use of public roads by these omnibuses.
§ 72. Mr. KELLAWAYasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that 344 residents of Waterton Road, Paddington, recently forwarded a petition to the Chief Commissioner of Police complaining that, owing to the excessive number of motor omnibuses running through their road, sleep was impossible before 1.30 a.m.; that twelve houses had been damaged, and that party walls were bulging, roofs sagging, windows falling out, ceilings falling in, in one instance causing such in juries to a woman that she had to attend a hospital for six weeks; whether he is aware that the petition was previously forwarded to the omnibus company; that the company not only refused to reduce the number of omnibuses, but complained 34 that their interests were suffering owing to the faulty paving of the road; and whether in this and in similar instances he intends to do anything to abate the nuisance?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Commissioner of Police informs me that he received a petition from residents in Waterton Road, Paddington, complaining of the excessive number of motor omnibuses using the road. It is not within his powers to limit the number of stage carriages using any given route.
§ Mr. McKENNANo. That is precisely the difficulty.
§ Sir W. BYLESIs there any redress for the people whose property is injured?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is a question of civil law which I am unable to answer.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs not the Chief Commissioner bound to regulate vehicular traffic, sending it one way or another as he thinks fit?
§ Mr. McKENNANot on the grounds my hon. Friend implies.
Mr. CATHCART WASONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is absolutely within the power of the Government to limit not only the size of motor omnibuses, but also their speed?
§ Mr. McKENNAUnlimited power, such as my hon. Friend suggests, they have not got; they can only ensure that the omnibuses are proper and efficient for the service.
§ Mr. KELLAWAYIs it want of power or want of will?
§ Mr. McKENNAWant of power.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYIn view of the state of public opinion, will my right hon. Friend seek powers in this matter?
§ Mr. McKENNAThat is a question I am closely considering.
§ 75. Sir H. CARLILEasked the Home Secretary whether the police have suggested that the conditions of traffic might be improved if the motor omnibuses made shorter halts at their recognised stopping places; and whether, in that case, he proposes to make any representations on the subject to the motor omnibus companies?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe Commissioner of Police has already called the attention of the managers of the various omnibus companies to the necessity of not unduly delaying at stopping points to pick up fares.