§ 35. Dr. SALTERasked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions were instituted by the police for the dangerous driving of motor vehicles in cases where accidents had taken place during the last six months; and how many prosecutions for dangerous driving were instituted in cases where no accident took place during the same period?
§ Mr. CLYNESFigures for the last six months are not yet available, and the figures that are collected do not indicate in each case of dangerous driving whether an accident had actually resulted.
§ 36. Dr. SALTERasked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an accident which took place on Friday, 29th November, on the occasion of the opening of the Motor Cycle Show at Olympia, when Mr. Kaye Don and Mr. Bobby Howes engaged in a race on motor cycles in a crowded public thoroughfare, namely, Addison Road, the course being covered twice by each competitor; whether he is aware that Mr. Kaye Don, travelling at great speed, was obliged to mount the pavement to avoid a head-on crash with a taximeter cab and only narrowly escaped injuring several other persons as well as himself; whether the police have instituted any proceedings against the individuals involved; and what steps are taken by the police to prevent racing at high speed on motor cycles in London streets or whether it is an offence against the law?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe police know nothing of any such incident and the answers to the first three parts of the question are, therefore, in the negative. Any racing on motor cycles in London 641 streets would, no doubt, involve offences of exceeding the speed limit or driving recklessly or to the danger of the public. It is the duty of the police to take action if any such offences come to their notice, and, in addition to the police employed on ordinary duties officers are specially employed to detect motoring offences.
§ Dr. SALTERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that at least eight daily papers, London and provincial, reported the incident in full in the terms set out in the question, and, further, that numbers of eye witnesses have written to the Press inquiring why a prosecution has not been undertaken?
§ Mr. CLYNESI can only say that I have satisfied myself that the police had no information.
§ Mr. HARRISWere not some policemen present, and, if so, why did they not report it to the authorities?
§ Mr. CLYNESI have no information on the point.
§ Major McKENZIE WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman see if he can get sufficient evidence to justify a prosecution?
§ Mr. CLYNESMy answer indicates that complete inquiry was made.