§ 60. Colonel APPLINasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a fatal accident occurred on Monday night outside this House when an omnibus ran over and killed a cyclist who was crushed beneath the omnibus; and whether, in view of the number of fatal accidents of this nature, he will take immediate steps, by Regulation of legislation, to compel all omnibuses in the Metropolitan area to provide guards or fenders on the front of the vehicles to prevent persons accidentally knocked down from being crushed beneath?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI have been asked to reply to this question. If a satisfactory device could be found, the Commissioner would be glad to make its use compulsory. I am advised that there are many technical difficulties in the application of a front guard to an omnibus. It is essential that any device so fitted should be reliable and free from danger, and, up to the present, though many inventions have been tested, none has proved effective in all respects.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIf the right hon. Gentleman decides to carry out any alteration, will it apply all over the country as well as in London?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Commissioner of Police has only power over London, and I have no power. It will 618 rest with the Watch Committees in the separate districts throughout the country.
§ Colonel APPLINWould the right hon. Gentleman consider a simple device, such as is now being used on motor cars, which would at least throw the person clear of the omnibus when he was struck?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI will ask the Commissioner of Police whether his attention has been called to that particular device.