§ 20. Sir A. M. SAMUELasked the Minister of Transport in how many cases his Department, or any other Department, has used the powers conferred by Section 23 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and instituted an inquiry following a coroner's inquest after a fatal road accident, as is the practice after fatal accidents in mines or in passenger trains?
§ Mr. PYBUSI have caused inquiry to be made into a large number of accidents, particularly those in respect of which there was reason to suppose that 1769 the condition of the road or a mechanical defect in the vehicle has been a contributory cause. Summaries of these investigations appear as appendices to the annual reports on the Administration of the Road Fund and of the Proceedings of the London Traffic Advisory Committee.
§ Sir A. M. SAMUELWhy is there not an inquiry into every fatal accident? Is not that the obvious way by which to discover a means of reducing the death roll?
§ Mr. PYBUSThe hon. Baronet will remember that about a week ago I informed the House that, in conjunction with the Home Office we were starting on a scientific basis an investigation of all fatal accidents, and I hope it will have the effect which the hon. Baronet desires.
§ Sir A. M. SAMUELIs the hon. Member not aware that as we are losing 6,000 human lives every year through these accidents, putting these inquiries into operation admits of no delay?