§ 30. Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any report on the working of the recent Road Traffic Act; and whether it is securing increased safety for the travelling public?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Herbert Morrison)To the best of my knowledge the provisions of the Road Traffic Act are working satisfactorily, but some time must necessarily elapse before their full effect can be judged. As regards public safety, I understand that the record of accidents in the Metropolitan Police District and the City of London show a reduction for the first quarter of this year of 10 per cent. in the case of fatal accidents and of more than 10 per cent. in the case of non-fatal accidents compared with the corresponding period of last year. The corresponding figures for the remainder of the country are not yet available.
§ Mr. FREEMANCan the right hon. Gentleman say when the new code will come into operation?
§ Mr. MORRISONThe new code has been in operation from the time when it was approved by Parliament and it is being circulated to all applicants for licences.