HC Deb 07 November 1934 vol 293 c1032
57. Mr. DORAN

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the recent tramcar accident in Tottenham in which two persons lost their lives, and subsequent accidents elsewhere in which people have been seriously injured by fragments of splintered glass, he will introduce legislation at an early date to make the use of safety glass compulsory on all vehicles, tramcars, omnibuses, and trains operating in the public service?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that in the tramcar accident at Tottenham no case of injury was occasioned by broken glass. The present regulations require that in the case of all new motor vehicles all glass fitted to windscreens or windows facing to the front, except glass fitted to the upper deck of double-decked vehicles, shall be safety glass. Similar requirements are made in respect of new trolley vehicles. I have in general no power to make such requirements in respect of railway carriages or tramcars, but I understand that on the London Passenger Transport Board's tramcars all vestibule screens are fitted with safety glass. I do not contemplate the introduction of further legislation on the subject.