§ 51. Major Milnerasked the Home Secretary why the recent request of the Leeds City Council for approval of a by-law making it an offence for vehicles to pass on the near side of stationary tramcars has been refused; and whether, in order to avoid the objection that such a rule should be of general and not local application, he will take steps, in the interests of public safety, to make such a rule the law of the land?
§ Sir J. AndersonMy predecessor felt unable to agree with the suggestion of the Leeds City Council because the subject-matter did not appear to be suitable for a local by-law. As to its general application, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the full reply which my right hon. and gallant Friend the 2089 Minister of Transport gave to the late hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day) on 26th July last.
§ Major MilnerDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is very desirable, particularly in these days of black-outs, to prevent vehicles passing stationary tramcars on the near side; and if that be so, cannot he, under some of the Acts recently passed, issue instructions or regulations to that effect?
§ Sir J. AndersonAs my right hon. and gallant Friend said in the answer to which I have just referred, paragraph 27 of the Highway Code gives clear instruction on the subject of passing stationary tramcars on the near side, and the existing law provides severe penalties where the practice is a source of danger.
§ Mr. PalingDo I understand that the by-law does not exist in other towns?
§ Sir J. AndersonIt exists in some other towns, but I think the House will appreciate that in a matter of this kind it is very undesirable to have different laws in different places.