Motor Omnibuses (Mud-Splashing). (Hansard, 22 February 1915)

§ 23. Mr. BOWERMAN
asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can see his way to direct the Commissioner of Police to refrain from licensing any more motor omnibuses which are not provided with wheel attachments for the purpose of protecting the public against mud-splashing?

§ Mr. McKENNA
The answer is in the negative, as the Commissioner of Police informs me that no satisfactory device to prevent mud-splashing has been brought to the notice of the police.

§ Mr. BOWERMAN
Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Brighton Corporation have adopted a satisfactory system of special mud-guards for their trackless trolley system?

§ Mr. McKENNA
No, I am not aware of it, but I will bring it to the notice of the Commissioner of Police.

§ 24. Mr. BOWERMAN
asked the Home Secretary if he has received representations from the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee urging that a regulation should be made requiring motor vehicles to be fitted with a suitable contrivance to prevent mud-splashing; and, if so, whether a reply has been made that no effective device has yet been produced; if he is aware that efficient mudguards are in existence which have been, subjected to trials on unfrequented roads and under conditions which cannot prevail in the thoroughfares used by motor omnibuses; and whether he will authorise the Commissioner of Police to send representatives to witness a demonstration of such contrivance which the standing joint committee contemplate arranging with a view to the public being protected from the nuisance arising from mud-splashing?

§ Mr. McKENNA
The answer to the first two points is in the affirmative. No mud-guard which has been tested in the presence of the police has been found efficient. It has been necessary to hold the tests, which occupy a considerable amount of time and involve interruption of other traffic, on private or unfrequented roads, but the preparation of road surface has been assimiliated as fast as possible to that of an ordinary muddy road over which motor omnibuses run. The Commissioner would be happy to send representatives to witness and report on the demonstration indicated.