HC Deb 12 July 1920 vol 131 cc1940-1
50, 51 and 52. Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he is aware of the many advantages of the left-hand drive for motor vehicles when driving in foggy weather, accessibility to both front seats, and the fact that the change-speed lever and brake are in the middle of the car, and their use by the right hand of the driver is more efficient than when placed on the left hand;

(2) whether he is aware that the press campaign against the left-hand drive is really directed against the importation of foreign cars; and can he say whether other means of checking foreign importation, such as a higher duty, may be employed other than causing severe financial loss to owners of left-hand-drive vehicles, who have paid a heavy import duty on their cars and who in many cases have bought foreign cars owing to the shortage of British cars; (3) whether the use of the left-hand drive in motor vehicles is to be restricted; if so, will he state upon what grounds this restriction is to be made, in view of the fact that millions of the 7,000,000 motor vehicles in use in the United States are right-hand drive, and that hardly any inconvenience results from the use of the right-hand drive in a country where the rule of the road is to keep to the right; whether he is aware that in Canada the rule of the road is in some provinces to keep to the right and in others to the left, and that both right and left-hand drive vehicles are in use in that country; that the thousands of left-hand drive vehicles imported into this country during the last two years have all paid a heavy Import Duty; and whether, in view of the above facts, he can give an assurance that the House of Commons will have an opportunity of debating this matter before any restrictive legislation is issued?

Sir E. GEDDES

The Departmental Committee on the Taxation and Regulation of Road Vehicles have already had a meeting to consider the question of the left-hand drive. The points in its favour, and the other statements contained in my hon. and gallant Friend's questions, have been brought to the notice of the Committee. I cannot anticipate their Report.

Lieut.-Colonel ARCHER-SHEE

Will some witnesses be before the Committee from drivers and owners of left-hand drives?

Sir E. GEDDES

Yes, I will ask the Committee to arrange that.

Sir H. BRITTAIN

Would it not be worth while to alter our rule of the road in conformity with the rest of the world? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Nothing can be done without legislation, can it?

Sir E. GEDDES

I do not think it is possible without legislation, but I am not sure.