§ 16. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Home Secretary whether he will ascertain from the police whether the unconditional enforcement of the 30-mile-per-hour speed limit in the centre of London has caused any congestion in London traffic?
§ Sir J. GILMOURYes, Sir; I have been in consultation with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, who informs me that inquiries made by him show that there has been no increase in traffic congestion. One of the most noticeable results of the introduction of the speed limit has been the decrease in the dangerous habit of "cutting in" and "cutting out" and the increased orderliness of the general stream of traffic, which in places is definitely helping to reduce congestion.
§ 22. Captain HAROLD BALFOURasked the Home Secretary how many summonses have been issued in the Metropolitan police district up to Saturday last for exceeding the speed limit of 30 miles per hour?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe number of cases reported for summonses up to and including Saturday, the 23rd March, was 1,274. Only 84 summonses had actually been issued, but application for summonses in the remaining cases is being made.
§ 17. Mr. EADY (for Mr. HEPWORTH)asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that the police are acting as agents provocateurs in the speed-limit areas by proceeding in cars at slow speeds and accelerating to 30 miles per hour or more when other vehicles attempt to overtake them; and what action is being taken by Scotland Yard in view of the complaints made on this matter?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNo, Sir; I have no reason to believe that the police are acting in the manner described. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for West Birkenhead (Lieut.-Colonel Sandeman Allen) on the 26th instant.