HC Deb 13 March 1935 vol 299 cc379-80
35. Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASS

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many of the local authorities will be unable, on or before the 18th March, to erect the traffic signs required by Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, to indicate the beginning and the end of a length of road subject to the 30 miles an hour limit; and whether, in view of these circumstances, he, will delay the introduction of the speed limit until such time as the necessary signs are erected?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have caused inquiry to be made of local authorities and am assured that they are in a position to erect by the 18th March the signs necessary to denote the limits of operation of the speed limit. Even if there should be locally any temporary difficulties, I am sure that no one would wish to exploit them.

Sir W. BRASS

Is my hon. Friend aware that, as a result of inquiries from the Royal Automobile Clubs all over the country, I have ascertained that practically none of these signs have been put up, and will he give an undertaking, if I can prove to him that that is the case, not to bring in the speed limit on the 18th?

59. Mr. SIMMONDS

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to maintain the present good relations between the police and the motoring public, he will give instructions that the offence of exceeding the new speed regulations should not lead to prosecution where the excess is but two or three miles per hour and is unaccompanied by specifically dangerous driving?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)

No, Sir. It is the duty of the police to enforce the law as enacted by Parliament, and I have no authority to instruct the police to refrain from prosecuting in the cases mentioned. Ample warning is being given of the procedure which will be followed by the police, and I hope that the motoring public, by their general observance of the intentions of Parliament, will render unnecessary any frequent recourse to proceedings on the part of the police.

Mr. SIMMONDS

Before proceeding with the deplorably provocative policy announced yesterday by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to secure an amicable co-operation with the motoring public, and thereby obtain greater results?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I cannot agree that the policy of the Commissioner is provocative; I have no reason to suppose that it is so. I hope that the general motoring public will arrive at a contrary decision, and that they will help by cooperating with the police.

Mr. GROVES

Will the speed limit apply to the police as well as to the public?

Mr. G. NICHOLSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the independent evidence of two stopwatches will be necessary before a conviction for exceeding the speed limit is made?