HC Deb 27 April 1933 vol 277 cc247-8
17. Mr. McENTEE

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of persons killed and injured by motor-driven vehicles in the Metropolitan police district during the last six months, giving separate figures for children?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Douglas Hacking)

625 persons were killed and 18,977 were injured by motor vehicles in the Metropolitan police district in the six months ended the 31st March, 1933. 115 of the persons killed were under 15 years of age. Figures are not available as to the ages of persons injured by particular types of vehicles, but the number of children under 15 injured by all classes of vehicles in the same period was 4,668.

Mr. McENTEE

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any special steps to reduce the number of accidents to children?

Mr. HACKING

We are taking all the steps within our power, and the figures during the last six months show a slight improvement over the previous six months.

Mr. LEVY

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think the time has now arrived to provide underground crossings at important street corners in order to try to avoid some of these accidents?

19. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Home Secretary the number of motor accidents in London during the past 12 months; the number due to careless or dangerous driving; and the number of convictions?

Mr. HACKING

The number of motor accidents known to have occurred in the Metropolitan Police district in the 12 months ended the 31st March, 1933, was 99,540. The number which were attributable to careless or dangerous driving and the number of convictions arising there-from are not available, as separate statistics are not kept in regard to prosecutions arising out of accidents as distinct from those instituted in cases where no actual collision occurred.

Mr. MABANE

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that figure is an increase or a decrease on the figure for the previous 12 months?

Mr. HACKING

The figure for the previous 12 months was 111,170 and for the last 12 months 99,540.