§ 33. Mr. VIANTasked the Minister of Transport whether he has received a request from the Paddington Borough Council that he should ask the Traffic Advisory Board to institute an inquiry in connection with the omnibus accident in Maida Vale, Paddington, on 9th April, 1929; and whether, in view of the alleged excessive speed at which these omnibuses proceed through that area, he will cause such an inquiry to be convened?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, the alleged excessive speed of omnibuses is not a matter with respect to which I am authorised or required by Statute to hold an inquiry, and I am not therefore 1947 in a position to delegate to the Advisory Committee the duty to hold such an inquiry. It is not, moreover, a matter which I can refer to the Advisory Committee for their advice under the London Traffic Act, 1924, so as to enable them if they thought it advisable to hold an inquiry under Section 3 (1) of that Act. The question of excessive speed is a matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, to whom I am forwarding a copy of the letter from the Paddington Borough Council.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it not a fact that the London omnibus driver is the safest driver on the road to-day?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI think that is so.