§ 46. Mr. GARDNERasked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the number of accidents in which petrol-driven vehicles were involved during 1934 which resulted in loss of life or injury to the persons concerned through these vehicles catching fire; how many persons died or were injured in accidents in which fire followed some other mishap; and whether he has any record of petrol-driven vehicles taking fire on the roads apart from those cases in which loss of life or injury took place?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Captain Austin Hudson)The special investigation into the causes of fatal road accidents in 1933 indicated that, in that year, explosion or fire on a vehicle was the primary cause of two, and a contributory cause of five, such accidents. Fires in motor vehicles in which no loss of life or injury occurs are not reported to my hon. Friend and he is therefore not in a position to give the hon. Member the other information for which he asks.
§ 50. Mr. WESTasked the Minister of Transport during which hour of the day most accidents occur on the roads in Great Britain?
§ Captain HUDSONThe special investigation made in 1933 showed that the hour during which there was the greatest number of fatal road accidents was between 5 and 6 p.m., when 9.3 per cent. of all such accidents occurred. Similar information is not available in respect of accidents not involving death.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSIs that in respect of the period when most of the public-houses are shut?
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSCan the hon. Gentleman give instructions that accidents not involving death should also be reported, so that we may know the accident figures, apart from those of fatal accidents?
§ Captain HUDSONI will take that suggestion into consideration.