§ 64. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Transport what purpose is served by the hoods fixed above the coloured lights on the traffic-control standards in the West End of London; whether the present design is of a temporary character; and, if so, whether he will arrange for the selection of an artistic design by open competition for permanent fixtures?
§ Mr. PYBUSHoods are needed in order to avoid the danger that would be caused by the reflection of sunlight from the signals. They also serve to mask the lights from drivers whose movements they are not intended to control. I have no doubt that the Departmental Committee on Road Traffic Signs which is now sitting will give due consideration to the matter. I have sent the Committee a copy of the hon. Member's question and my reply.
§ 65. Mr. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the present system of traffic control by means of three coloured lights is confusing to motorists and dangerous to pedestrians owing to the filtration of traffic which occurs while the warning light is showing; whether any tests have been made in this country of the two-light system 1638 at present in operation in New York; and whether he will cause experiments to be made in the West End of London with the two-light system before permitting the erection of permanent traffic-control lighting standards?
§ Mr. PYBUSI regret that the hon. Member's question is not clear to me and I should be glad to discuss it with him. In any event, however, the question of light signals is under consideration by a Departmental Committee.
§ 50. Earl CASTLE STEWART (for Mr. EVERARD)asked the Minister of Transport whether in all cases of grants given to local authorities for the erection of traffic signals, one of the stipulations made will be that the apparatus must be of British manufacture?
§ Mr. PYBUSLight signals now being erected are, I believe, almost universally of British manufacture, although it may prove necessary in isolated cases to experiment with devices not at present manufactured in this country.
§ 52. Earl CASTLE STEWART (for Mr. EVERARD)asked the Minister of Transport whether the electric traffic-control signals which it is proposed to erect in Piccadilly are to be of British manufacture?
§ Mr. PYBUSI see no reason why the highway authority concerned should have difficulty in obtaining any necessary apparatus from British manufacturers.
§ 81. Dr. SALTER (for Mr. HICKS)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of accidents that have taken place at Ludgate Circus since the installation of traffic signals, and the figures for a corresponding period previous to the use of automatic signals?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir Herbert Samuel)During the period of 19 months since the installation of these signals, there have been no fatal accidents and 27 non-fatal accidents involving personal injury (including injury to 19 pedestrians). During the previous period of 19 months there were one fatal accident and 27 nonfatal accidents (including injury to 18 pedestrians).