§ 34. Sir R. THOMASasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing use of discordant and penetrating motor alarms; and whether, seeing that these add to the nervous strain of modern life and are therefore a menace to public health, he will take action in the matter?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 31st May to a question on this 1930 subject by the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence). I am sending him a copy of the question and answer.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that this nuisance is being increased week by week and month by month, and what happened in May last applies more forcibly to-day? Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not prepared to take more energetic action in this matter?
§ Colonel ASHLEYMore energetic action cannot be taken with the present powers, but, when the draft Road Traffic Bill becomes law, I think it will be possible for something to be done in this direction.
§ Mr. MONTAGUEDoes the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that people who do not own motor cars have any right to nerves at all?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThere is no foundation for such an insinuation.
§ Mr. THURTLECould the Minister of Transport arrange for these motor horns to sound some inspiring tunes, like "The Red Flag"?
§ Colonel DAYIs it not a fact that the loud sounds on motor horns are a great advantage, and in many cases obviate accidents?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI quite agree that probably if the horns played "The Red Flag" the people would run away.