§ 69. Major GLYNasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are now being taken, or are about to be taken, in the Metropolitan police area to introduce automatic traffic signals; when legislation will be introduced in order that proceedings may be taken against persons who do not obey such signals, and thus make it possible to effect a reduction in the number of Metropolitan police on point duty; how many police constables are to-day so employed; and what is the total cost of these officers in pay and allowances?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Short)My hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, after consultation with the London Traffic Advisory Committee, has in hand arrangements for an experimental installation of traffic signals in a portion of Oxford Street, and a provision as to disobedience to the indications of traffic signals is included in Clause 45 of the Road Traffic Bill now under consideration in another place. The number of constables employed on traffic duty in the Metropolitan police district in a recent week was 1,423, including about 1,100 authorised for permanent point duty. The average annual cost per constable is about £320 without making any allowance for relief for sickness, etc.
§ Mr. DAYHave the present automatic traffic signals proved a success, especially those at Piccadilly?