HC Deb 11 February 1913 vol 48 cc707-8
46. Sir A. MARKHAM

asked whether the Prime Minister's attention has been drawn to the case of John Williams, acquitted at the Old Bailey on the 7th February, on a charge of the manslaughter of a lady at Barnes on the 7th December; that Williams admitted he knocked down the lady and did not stop the car; whether, seeing the car was travelling, according to the police, at thirty to forty miles an hour, he will say what steps he proposes taking, if any, to afford protection to His Majesty's subjects; and whether, seeing the large number of persons killed and injured by motor vehicles, he will now appoint a Royal Commission to report on the question of motor traffic, with a view to prevent this loss of life?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. My attention has been drawn to the verdict of the jury in the case referred to, but I am not prepared to draw any conclusions from the result of a single trial. At the present time a Select Committee of this House is inquiring into the causes of street accidents, and nothing would be gained by appointing a Royal Commission.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Is it not the fact that the Committee at present sitting is only dealing with accidents in London, and that is has no reference to the country generally. With regard to the first answer given by the right hon. Gentleman, is he aware that the right hon. Member for the Strand Division (Mr. Long). when he introduced the Bill of 1903, gave a definite pledge to the house that it was only a temporary measure, until motor traffic had further developed?

Mr. McKENNA

No doubt my hon. Friend is right in what he states, but it had escaped my memory. As regards the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question, it is quite true that the investigations of the Committee relate only to London.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Has my Constituency, and have other constituencies in the country, no interest in this subject?

Mr. McKENNA

Oh, yes; there is great interest, but we would rather hear what the Committee have to say upon the first reference.

Sir A. MARKHAM

Several people have been killed in my district, and that interests them.

Mr. WATT

And are Scotehmen to be killed with impunity?