HC Deb 28 June 1934 vol 291 cc1303-4
47. Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASS

asked the Minister of Transport whether the statistics of accidents in built-up areas quoted in the report on fatal road accidents are accidents which occurred in areas where buildings actually abutted on to the road or in areas where a system of street lighting existed, as described in Clause 1 of the Road Traffic Bill now before the House?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

The report to which my hon. Friend refers was based on information given by chief constables who were asked to state in respect of each fatal road accident whether or not it occurred in a built-up area. When the returns were made, Clause 1 of the Road Traffic Bill, 1934, had not been drafted and the distinction between built-up and other areas was left to the judgment of the chief constables concerned.

Sir W. BRASS

Am I to understand that the accidents reported in these statistics were in real built-up areas and not hypothetical ones?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

My hon. and gallant Friend may understand what he likes.