HC Deb 18 July 1934 vol 292 cc1087-8
20. Major THOMAS

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the risks run by persons descending from passenger vehicles in the middle of the road, he will issue instructions that in future all passenger vehicles, such as tramcars and omnibuses, shall be fitted with some form of gate which will prevent persons getting on and off except at the authorised stopping places?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

My hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, has carefully reviewed the figures of fatal accidents in which have been involved passengers boarding or alighting from tramcars and other vehicles in motion. While he is most anxious to reduce the total of road accidents, to whatever cause they may be attributed, he does not consider that the facts at present before him would justify him in imposing a general requirement of the character indicated.

Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHT

Will my hon. Friend represent to the Minister how necessary it is that some special observation should be made upon this source of danger to the travelling public, which is very serious in London?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

My hon. Friend the Minister of Transport has given very great consideration to this matter. He has had a report presented to him which shows that ill 1933 three persons were killed alighting from, or trying to board, motor vehicles. He is certainly giving the matter serious consideration.

Mr. KNIGHT

Along with that matter, will my hon. Friend represent that there should be a special inquiry into the case of Gray's Inn Road, especially at the terminus where the trams draw up, in view of the extreme danger to the public caused by alighting from the trams there?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

No doubt my hon. Friend will see into that matter.

Mr. ANSTRUTHER-GRAY

Is it a fact that only three persons were killed while either alighting from or getting upon tramcars last year?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

That is according to the report which the Minister has received from his advisers.

Major THOMAS

How many were injured?

Sir W. WOMERSLEY

I cannot say, but, if my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question, I am sure that my hon. Friend will do his best to answer it.