29. Lieut. - Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENasked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions took place during 1935 for leaving a car on the right-hand side of the road, facing traffic, after dark or during foggy weather?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Annual Return of Offences relating to motor vehicles contains statistics of proceedings under the general head of leaving a motor vehicle in a dangerous position, but does not further distinguish the precise circumstances of the alleged offence. The number of cases under this head which were dealt with by prosecution in 1934 was 2,069. The corresponding figure for 1935 is not yet available.
§ Sir W. BRASSDoes my right hon. Friend not think that this is really a dangerous practice, warranting police prosecution?
§ Sir J. SIMONOf course that is a matter for the discretion of the police. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that there is no specific offence in the act of leaving a car on the off-side of a road facing traffic whether before or after dark, so that that is the reason why these statistics are of a general kind.
§ Sir W. BRASSUnder the Act is it not laid down that persons can be prosecuted for causing danger to the public?
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBIs not this an offence against the road traffic regulations?
§ Sir J. SIMONI am only explaining the reason why the statistics of the Home Office deal with the matter in a more general description.
30. Lieut.-Colonel SANDEMAN ALLENasked the Home Secretary how many prosecutions took place during 1935 for leaving a car at the side of the road with the head-lamps full on?
§ Sir J. SIMONI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I have just given to his previous question.