HC Deb 18 April 1935 vol 300 c1992
10. Vice-Admiral TAYLOR

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the decision given by the magistrates at Cardiff on the case of J. Williams, managing director of the Llantrisant Motor Company, Limited, he will cause investigations to be made as to whether the evidence of speedometers used on police cars can, in the future, be accepted as reliable witness of offences committed by motorists in exceeding the speed limit?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have obtained a report of this case but it does not appear to me to throw any doubt on the value of speedometers, if properly tested, as furnishing reliable evidence of speed.

Vice-Admiral TAYLOR

Can the Minister state what method is employed by the police authorities to test the speedometers which are taken as evidence in prosecutions against motor drivers? It is most important that they should be correct. Are they tested on the bench or merely tested by a watch on the road?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I cannot answer for all the details, but I know that the police take the greatest care in seeing that they are very carefully tested.

Vice-Admiral TAYLOR

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to see that they are tested on the bench? I understand that that is the only reliable test that can be carried out.

Sir J. GILMOUR

I will make inquiries.