§ 30. Mr. WESTasked the Minister of Transport what were the casualties in 1934 per 1,000 of private motor cars, of public service vehicles, and of cycles, assuming the latter to be 10,000,000?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe approximate number of persons killed or injured during 1934 in road accidents in Great Britain attributed to private motor cars and to public service vehicles were respectively 66 and 247 per 1,000 vehicles. These figures do not, however, take into account the difference in mileage run by the two classes of vehicles. 61,890 casualties were attributed to pedal cycles, which, on the basis of the assumption in the question, gives 6.2 casualties per 1,000 pedal cycles, but I must not be taken as accepting the hon. Member's estimate of the number of cycles.
§ Mr. WESTDo not the figures show that the accidents caused by cyclists are fewer than those caused by any other type of road vehicle?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI could not accept that statement as an exhaustive conclusion, but surely it is desirable to take every precaution to reduce the number of accidents to cyclists, and, as they are more vulnerable than any other sections of the population, it is preeminently desirable.
§ 33. Captain BROWNEasked the Minister of Transport whether he will give for the last convenient period of three months the total number of road accidents, fatal or otherwise, and the number of these ascribed to the fault of the pedestrian and those in which the driver is to blame?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe number of persons reported as having died or been injured during the 13 weeks ended 22nd June, 1935, as the result of road accidents in Great Britain was 55,006, of whom 1,398 lost their lives and 53,608 were injured. This represents a decrease of 18.3 per cent. in the case of those killed and 10.4 per cent. in the case of those injured as compared with the corresponding period of 1934. An analysis of the causes of fatal road accidents for the current year is being prepared.