HC Deb 22 July 1926 vol 198 cc1390-1
5. Captain BRASS

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that out of the 232 persons summoned by the Metropolitan police for driving dangerously on the Great West Road only 11 were convicted; and whether, in view of this, he will give instructions to this Department that accusations of so serious a kind should not be made in the future based on the evidence of speed alone, and that before a summons is issued accusing a driver of dangerous driving all the circumstances of the case should he taken into account?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The persons in question were charged not with driving dangerously but with driving at a dangerous speed and alternatively in accordance with the usual practice with exceeding the speed limit. The fact that in a majority of the cases the Court decided to convict on the latter charge only does not seem to me to call for any action on my part.

Captain BRASS

Does my right hon. Friend think it is fair to charge people with driving dangerously, which is the same thing as driving at a speed dangerous to the public, when only 11 out of 232 persons were convicted?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

If the police are of opinion that they were driving at a dangerous speed, I think it would be their duty to charge them; but if the Bench concludes that they were not, then I cannot interfere with the decision of the Bench.

Captain BRASS

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that this prosecution should be brought forward by the police on the evidence of speed alone?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The police might have a discretion as to the actual summons they issue against people breaking the law. My hon. and gallant Friend does not dispute the fact that in these cases in which prosecutions were undertaken a large majority of them were actually breaking the law. The police have been told on my instructions, that they must do everything they secure the safety of the public.

Sir F. HALL

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that the time has passed when there should be any speed limit at all, but on the other hand those found guilty of driving to the danger of the public should be severely dealt with?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I think the hon. and gallant Member has better put that question down.