HC Deb 07 December 1938 vol 342 cc1160-1
33. Mr. James Hall

asked the Minister of Transport the number of persons killed and injured in road accidents attributed to the drivers of commercial road vehicles and to defects in such vehicles in 1937; and the number killed and injured in accidents on the railways during the same year?

Mr. Burgin

Information regarding accidents on the roads and the railways respectively will be found in the following publications: Road Accidents involving Personal Injury, 1937. Report upon Accidents which occurred on the Railways of Great Britain during the year 1937.

For an analysis of the causes of road accidents the hon. Member should consult: Report on Road Accidents in Great Britain for the year ended 31st March, 1937.

Copies of all these documents are in the Library.

37. Mr. J. Hall

asked the Minister of Transport the number of commercial motor vehicles involved in accidents in 1937; the number of such vehicles for which "A" "B" or "C" licences were current during the same year; and the total number of vehicles of all kinds involved in such accidents during the same year?

Mr. Burgin

The number of commercial motor goods vehicles concerned in road accidents involving personal injury in Great Britain during the year 1937 was 41,078. At 3oth June, 1937, there were 507,256 commercial motor goods vehicles authorised and in the possession of holders of "A" "B" or "C" carriers' licences. The total number of vehicles of all kinds concerned in road accidents involving personal injury in 1937 was 289,326, of which 199,311 were mechanically-propelled vehicles.

Sir J. Nall

Is it not a fact that the majority of these vehicles are in the hands of private owners, over whom the Commissioners have very little control?

Mr. Burgin

The holders of C licences are a very large proportion.

58. Mr. Lunn

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered a resolution passed at a large public meeting held in Horbury near Wakefield regarding the death of a school girl caused by a lorry in one of the narrow streets in Horbury; and what observations he has to make on the points in this resolution?

Mr. Burgin

I have not seen the resolution to which the hon. Member refers. If he will be good enough to send me a copy, I will have the matter looked into and communicate with him.

Mr. Lunn

Is it not a matter of some concern to the right hon. Gentleman and to his Department that a large number of school children are being killed and maimed, and may I ask what observations he has to make upon that matter?

Mr. Burgin

The death of anyone on the roads is a matter of great concern to me and my Department, and I have the problem with me every hour of the day. I know of no specific matter to which I can usefully refer in answer to a Parliamentary Question, and I have told the hon. Member that I have not seen the resolution. If he will be good enough to send it to me, perhaps I can make a useful observation upon it.

Major Braithwaite

Would the right hon. Gentleman ask his Department to look at this road, which is a main road through a very busy borough? It has been in this condition for many years and some attention ought to be given to it immediately.

Mr. Burgin

I will look into it at once.