§ 52. Mr. CASSELasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience and annoyance caused to the public in the Metropolis by trailers drawn by motors or locomotives like goods trains proceeding through the streets; whether he has powers to make regulations on the matter; if so, whether such powers have been exercised; whether such regulations have been enforced; whether further statutory powers are required; and, if so, whether he proposes to introduce legislation?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)My attention has been called to this matter. A heavy motor car cannot legally be used to draw more than one trailer, and a heavy locomotive or traction engine is, by Section 3 of the Locomotives Act, 1898, prohibited from drawing more than three loaded wagons (exclusive of any wagon solely used for carrying water for the locomotive). As regards unloaded wagons, the London County Council and the Common Council of the City of London have made by-laws under Section 6 of the Act referred to which limit to three (exclusive of the water cart) the number of such wagons, except with the permission of the council. I am not aware that these requirements are not enforced, and I am not in a position to promise legislation on the subject at the present time, but any proposal to amend the by-laws so as to reduce the number of unloaded wagons which may be drawn together with loaded wagons would receive my consideration.