§ 15. Brigadier-General SPEARSasked the Home Secretary the cost in man-hours of the drive that the police are conducting against motorists in the Metropolitan area?
§ Sir J. SIMONThere has been no recent increase in the number of men employed daily to enforce the traffic laws. All that is being carried out is an experiment on the lines of concentrating in different areas each day a proportion of the force normally employed on these duties. I should like to take this opportunity of pointing out that the whole object is to reduce the appalling number of accidents and not, as the question might seem to suggest, to harry motorists.
§ Brigadier-General SPEARSWill the Minister consider issuing instructions that the police should devote themselves to keeping observation upon dangerous and inconsiderate drivers rather than to prosecuting motorists for exceeding the speed limit in roads where, possibly, they may do so without causing serious danger?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs it not the duty of the police to enforce the laws passed by this House?
§ Sir J. SIMONThis is a very difficult but also a very important piece of administrative work, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that it is constantly under consideration, and that every effort is made to discharge the duties in the best way.
§ Mr. DAYWill the right hon. Gentleman give instructions that police officers shall be in uniform and not hide behind hedges?