§ 27. Mr. PIKEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 25th November, at approximately 12.36 p.m., a small child was run down by a motor omnibus in Whitehall; that the constable on duty, after handing the child into the care of a pedestrian, left the scene 1233 of the accident, and that seven minutes elapsed before the child was placed in a car and taken to hospital; that this was entirely due to the initiative of a pedestrian; and will he assure the House that in any such future event the police will be empowered to claim the assistance of the first approaching car?
§ Sir H. SAMUELI have made inquiry and find that the constable placed the child in the care of a bystander while he went to a telephone nearby to summon an ambulance. The police may, in proper cases, obtain the use of cabs or private motor cars for the removal of injured persons to hospital, but it is not always possible to ascertain on the spot the full extent of the injuries which have been suffered: much harm may be done by removal in an unsuitable vehicle, and when an ambulance can be obtained quickly it is generally safer and better in every way to await the arrival of that vehicle. I do not think any fresh instructions are required.
§ Mr. HARRISIs it not a fact that the, London County Council have a complete system of motor ambulances which, if properly utilised by the police, affords facilities in these cases?
§ Sir H. SAMUELYes, Sir; and in this case the constable was making use of the service.
§ Mr. LUNNWill the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to whether the policeman in this case left the scene of the accident, although the child had been run down?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThe policeman went to summon the ambulance.