HC Deb 24 March 1914 vol 60 c199
72. Mr. FELL

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the Metropolitan police have the power at the present time to forbid the use, within the Metropolitan area, of motor lights of dangerous power and brilliancy?

Mr. McKENNA

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Commissioner of Police as licensing authority for public carriages, prohibits the use upon public motor carriages of head-lights of excessive brilliancy; but he has no power to forbid the use of such lights upon other motor carriages.

Mr. FELL

Is there not a general power in the police to stop anything in the streets which they consider dangerous to life?

Mr. McKENNA

Yes, I suppose so, if they can prove that it is dangerous to life, but the proving of that fact would not be quite so easy as the hon. Member seems to suggest.

Mr. FELL

Could they not have a test case?

Mr. McKENNA

I will communicate with the legal authorities on the point.