HC Deb 29 April 1935 vol 301 cc27-8
44. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the Home Secretary whether it is the intention of his Department to authorise proceedings against the driver of any motor vehicle who is requested by a person authorised by a highway authority, but who is not a police constable in uniform, to stop so that his vehicle may be weighed under the provisions of Section 27 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, but refuses to do so, having regard to the fact that under Section 20 (3) of that Act the obligation to stop is imposed only when the request is made by a police constable in uniform?

Sir J. GILMOUR

As explained by my hon. and gallant Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport, in reply to a question on the 17th instant, the Minister of Transport has authorised a special traffic sign for use in this connection by persons duly authorised to discharge the duty of weighing vehicles. Proceedings for failure to conform to the indication given by such signs would be taken under section 49 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, under which it is an offence to neglect or refuse to conform to the indication given by a traffic sign.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Will my right hon. Friend be good enough to answer the question, namely, whether such a person is entitled to instruct the driver of a vehicle to stop as distinct from giving a driver of a vehicle at rest instructions to proceed to be weighed, having regard to the discussion which took place in Committee upstairs as to persons not in uniform being authorised to stop vehicles?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have no reason to believe that the practice has not worked satisfactorily.

Mr. WILLIAMS

But what precautions is my right hon. Friend going to take against unauthorised persons using the sign and calling on people to stop with the result that unpleasant incidents may happen?

Sir J. GILMOUR

When such cases arise, I shall have to deal with them.