§ 24. Mr. MABANEasked the Home Secretary how many persons have been killed or injured in the Metropolitan area in road accidents in which heavy road vehicles have been involved between 1st January, 1932, and 10th March, 1932, and since 10th March, 1932?
§ Sir H. SAMUELThe figures are, from 1st January to 10th March, 104 killed and 2,148 injured; and from 11th March to 2nd April they are 29 killed and 471 injured. Although the period is too short to enable any definite conclusion to be drawn, it is satisfactory to know that this indicates a reduction of about one-sixth in the rate of fatal accidents and of about one-third in the rate of other accidents involving personal injury.
§ Mr. MABANEDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that the figures of the killed and injured since 10th March, 1932, in the Metropolitan Area can be considered satisfactory?
§ Sir H. SAMUELIt depends on the hon. Member's point of view with regard to over-population in the country. No figures relating to killed and injured can be regarded as really satisfactory; but there is some indication that there has been an improvement owing to the stricter measures which have been taken by the Commissioner of Police to check excessive speeds by these heavier vehicles, and, as I have said in my answer, the rate of fatal accidents has been reduced by one-sixth and of non-fatal accidents by one-third in this very short period.