27. Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to road accidents which have happened at night in the neighbourhood of the Mersey Docks by collisions with unlighted horse-drawn goods vehicles; whether such vehicles are exempted from the obligation to carry lights by regulations made by the Ministry of Transport under the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, even when not carrying inflammable goods; and whether, inasmuch as inexpensive safety lamps are now obtainable, he is prepared to withdraw these exemptions so that it may be compulsory for all horse-drawn vehicles in the dock areas to carry lights as required on other vehicles, with the object of minimising the risk of this type of road accident?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIn certain special dock areas where inflammable or explosive goods are handled vehicles whether horse-drawn or otherwise are exempt from the obligation to carry lights. My attention was recently drawn to a fatal accident in Bootle in which an 337 unlighted horse-drawn vehicle was involved, and I am in communication with the Bootle Corporation on the matter.