§ 38. Mr. T. Johnstonasked the Minister of Transport whether he has been made aware of the report of Superintendent Docherty, chief of the traffic department of the Glasgow police, in 1936, that automatic signalling had reduced the number of accidents by 75 per cent.; and what is the reason for delay in the installation of the numbers of additional signals set out in the programme of signals asked for by the Glasgow police authorities?
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Burgin)At the junctions to which this officer referred, 96 persons were injured in the six months prior to the installation of traffic light signals and 84 and 75 respectively in two subsequent six-month periods. I am not aware of delay in the 212 installation of the 48 sets of light signals which have been erected in Glasgow by agreement with the corporation. There have been six cases in which agreement has not been reached as to the necessity or suitability of traffic light signal control.
§ Mr. JohnstonIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is in fact no avoidable delay in the installation of further traffic lights in the West of Scotland, particularly in Glasgow?
§ Mr. BurginYes, Sir, I think so. The principles upon which traffic light signals can be put up at a road intersection are well known. They are very largely a matter for the local authority's decision, and provided the weight of traffic and the general police necessities of the matter require traffic light signals, there is no avoidable delay on the part of my Department.
Mr. DavidsonAre negotiations taking place with the Glasgow local authority on the question, and, if so, will that local authority be considered with regard to any future development of the traffic problem in Glasgow?
§ Mr. BurginCertainly. The traffic problems in Glasgow are very largely Glasgow's concern. In a number of cases that are outstanding the Glasgow authorities themselves agree that police control would be better than light control.