§ 17. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to save loss of life and prevent accidents, he will consider the advisability of issuing an order compelling pedestrians to keep to the left on all footpaths and to keep to the right of the road, meeting the on-coming traffic, where there are no footpaths?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI propose, with the concurrence of Parliament, to insert in the Highway Code provisions in the sense indicated by my hon. Friend, namely, advising pedestrians not to proceed alongside the kerb of the pavement in the same direction as the nearer stream of traffic. Pedestrians will be further advised to walk on the right of the carriageway where there are no footpaths so as to face the oncoming traffic.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSWhen the hon. Member came to his decision had he before him the report of an experiment which was carried out in. London some 12 years ago, at great expense, which showed that the scheme had completely failed?
§ Sir NICHOLAS GRATTAN-DOYLEIs it not desirable to issue instructions to pedestrians either to go to the right or the left, and not have the confusion that exists at present?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIn answer to the first supplementary question, it seems 332 to me that we have to determine what is right and not to be deterred by previous failures. On this occasion, it will have the full force of the Highway Code and Parliament behind it.
§ Sir WILFRID SUGDENIs the Minister aware that there are made in this country, by first-class engineers, road studs which are useful and helpful and not detrimental to those who use the road, and will he not try to use them?
§ Dr. ADDISONDoes the hon. Gentleman propose that the unfortunate pedestrian is to be punished if he walks on the wrong side of the road?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANo, Sir. This is a question of sound advice.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSIs the hon. Member aware that the only place where this rule is enforced at the present time is in Rome by the Fascists?