§ 8. Sir R. THOMASasked the Home Secretary what is the number of convictions of motor drivers for excessive speed during the last 12 months to any convenient recent date; has he any data to show what proportion of these offences were committed at night; and what proportion of the offenders were drivers of heavy lorries and freight wagons?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSOnly certain figures for the six months ended 31st December, 1928, can be given. In England and Wales there were 9,195 convictions in connection with 9,910 offences of exceeding the speed limit. The class of vehicle and the time at which an offence was committed cannot be stated.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, in reply to questions regarding excessive motor driving which shakes buildings in some places to the very foundations, he said he was not able to allocate the time when this excessive driving takes place? I want to find out whether it is at night or in the day time, because at night I think he will agree there is less police supervision.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe re turns merely state, "So-and-So prosecuted," and the result—conviction or fine. They do not state the time at which the offence was committed. To find that out, I should have to ask the Department to go through 9,000 odd files.
§ Sir R. THOMASIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it would be worth while for him to do so? Is he not aware that these offences take place, and must take place, at night time, when there is less supervision by the police? Will he promise to look into the matter? He has not very much longer to do it in.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThen it is hardly worth my doing so.
§ Sir R. THOMASWill the right hon. Gentleman agree with me that the Liberal Government will do it in the next Parliament?
Mr. ERSKINEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the buildings in one street in London last Saturday night were almost shaken to pieces between 12 and one o'clock?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am sorry. I was away for the week-end.