§ 8. Captain BRASSasked the Home Secretary whether he can state the average width of the road on that part of the Great West Road where the Metropolitan Police trap was operating recently, when 243 persons were summoned for exceeding the speed limit?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSFifty feet, Sir.
§ Captain BRASSDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it is really a reasonable place to have a trap where 10 cars at least can go abreast?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSWhen local authorities complain of excessive speed of cars on any road under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police, it is my duty to call the attention of the police to the complaint I have received, and it is their duty to take such steps as they think proper.
§ Captain BRASSDoes the right hon. Gentleman really think that a police trap where the police are hidden stops people from going fast?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not essential that the speed should be moderate just where the roads are wide, because of the temptation of cars overtaking and so leading to accidents?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThese are arguments, and the only question here is the width of the road.
§ 9. Captain BRASSasked the Home Secretary how many of the 243 persons recently trapped on the Great West Road were summoned for driving to the danger of the public; and how many, for merely exceeding the statutory limit of 20 miles an hour?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe 243 persons recently proceeded against were summoned as follow:
| For two offences alternatively, namely, exceeding the speed limit, and also for driving at a speed dangerous to the public | 232 |
| For exceeding the speed limit only | 11 |
| The results of the summonses are: Convictions for driving at a speed dangerous to the public | 11 |
| For exceeding the speed limit | 139 |
| Cases not yet heard | 93 |
§ Captain BRASSDo I understand from that answer that the people who have exceeded the speed limit were prosecuted for two offences?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMy hon. and gallant Friend will realise that a man may be driving at a speed greater than is allowed by law, and may also at the same time be driving at a speed dangerous to the public.
§ Colonel DAYWill the Home Secretary give instructions that where people are stopped in these traps, the officer shall show them where the traps are, so that they can verify the distances?
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIn view of the very large number of prosecutions the law does not seem to have any deterrent effect upon excessive speed, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of introducing legislation to increase the penalties?
§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEDoes the right hon. Gentleman or the police know of any motorist who habitually drives within the speed limit?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think my hon. Friend has got a good many of us into a difficulty over that question, but in these cases I am informed by the police that the speed limit was very considerably exceeded.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYMay I ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury whether he will discourage the Conservative party from making these reflections upon the officers of the law?