HC Deb 22 May 1935 vol 302 cc336-8
Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZON

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increasing figures of the casualty lists upon the roads in built-up areas, he will take steps to obtain the repeal of the 30-miles-per-hour speed-limit?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

My hon. and gallant Friend is mistaken. Since the introduction of the 30-miles-an-hour speed limit there has in fact been a considerable reduction in the numbers of casualties compared with the corresponding weeks of last year, notwithstanding an increase of over 220,000 in the number of motor vehicles licensed. The only recent weeks in which road casualties have exceeded those of the corresponding weeks in 1934 are those ended 27th April, which was Easter week, and 11th May, which was Jubilee week, and in both those weeks the increases occurred in the County Police areas, whereas in the Metropolitan, City and Borough Police areas, where the speed limit generally applies, there were reductions.

Lieut.-Colonel MOORE-BRABAZON

Does the hon. Gentleman not ascribe some of the lack of casualties to his own crossings and not to the 30-miles-an-hour limit?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I am willing to distribute the credit in any way provided we achieve the results.

Sir W. BRASS

Does the Minister not consider that it would be better to let the matter go on for a bit and see what the results will be before taking any further steps?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Certainly.

33. Mr. DICKIE

asked the Minister of Transport the percentage increase or reduction in fatal and non-fatal accidents in recent weeks compared with a corresponding period for last year before the safety measures which he has instituted were in operation.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

For the eight weeks ended on the 11th May, 1935, during which the 30-miles-per-hour speed limit has been in operation, 153 fewer persons have died and 2,699 fewer have been injured as a result of road accidents than in the corresponding weeks of last year. This represents reductions of 15.3 per cent. in persons killed and 8.3 per cent. in persons injured, in a period when the number of motor vehicles licensed increased by over 12 percent. The reductions have occurred mainly in the Metropolitan, City and Borough Police areas where the speed limit generally applies. These areas account for over 75 per cent. of the reduction in deaths and over 90 per cent. of the reduction in injuries.

Sir W. BRASS

Can the Minister say whether this is really a result of the speed limit or the result of other experiments?

34. Mr. DICKIE

asked the Minister of Transport the percentage increase or reduction in fatal and non-fatal accidents in London for a recent period compared with a corresponding period last year before pedestrian crossings were instituted?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

During the nine weeks ended 18th May, 1935,77 fewer persons have died and 1,578 fewer persons have been injured in road accidents in the City of London and the Metropolitan Police District than in the corresponding weeks of last year. This represents reductions of 32 per cent. and 15.5 per cent. respectively. The percentage reductions in this area are roughly twice as great as in the country as a whole.

Mr. DICKIE

In view of these very satisfactory results, will the Minister consider the advisability of making these crossings a little wider and extending their use generally throughout the country?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I am taking certain steps to expedite their institution in other parts of the country where progress has been slow.