HC Deb 17 February 1920 vol 125 cc698-9
40. Mr. T. THOMSON

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the difficulty of keeping rear lights on ordinary bicycles burning during windy weather and on bad roads, he will now cancel or modify the Order requiring the same, seeing that the war-time conditions which necessitated this order do not now prevail?

Mr. SHORTT

I regret that I cannot see my way to relax the requirements with regard to red rear-lights on bicycles at present. The reasons which I gave in reply to a question by my hon. Friend on 18th November, namely, that the whole question is being considered by a Committee and that restricted lighting arrangements are in operation in some towns—still hold good.

Mr. THOMSON

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether a reflector would meet the case?

Mr. SHORTT

That is being considered by the Committee.

Viscount CURZON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of those reflectors are of no use whatever?

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Is not this regulation of the greatest possible benefit to cyclists themselves?

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Select' Committee contains one representative of the bicycle riders and the rest are motor-car drivers?

Mr. BILLING

Is it not the fact that this regulation was made in the interests of the lives of cyclists themselves?