§ 35. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the many fatal accidents to children caused by motor traffic, he will consider the introduction of legislation to give local authorities the power to prohibit the use of certain side streets to motor traffic during certain hours of the day and thus provide safe facilities in such specified areas to enable children to use them in lieu of a playground?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)I am afraid I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member a year ago in answer to a similar question, 259 and which was to the effect that it would require legislation to enable his suggestion to be put into force. Whilst the object he seeks to attain, namely, additional facilities for children to play, is one that has my sympathy, I fear that his proposal is impracticable.
§ Colonel DAYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this system is practised in many States in America, and cannot he recommend it to the local authorities over here?
§ Mr. SPEAKERHon. Members are too apt to repeat the same questions they have on the Paper.
§ 36. Viscount SANDONasked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for statistics to be produced annually as to the distribution of motor accidents as between drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, and as to the relation ship between the deaths so caused and the average number of miles travelled by these vehicles?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI do not think that statistics on the basis suggested by my Noble Friend would be reliable unless a statutory obligation were placed upon drivers to keep records of their journeys, and even in that event I doubt whether such statistics would contribute materially towards an elucidation of the causes of road accidents or a reduction in their number.