§ 21. Mr. Sorensenasked the Minister of Transport how many were killed and how many injured by London Transport Board motor-omnibuses, trolley-buses and tram-cars, respectively, during the five months ended 31st January, 1940, compared with the five months ended 31st January, 1939?
§ Sir J. ReithAs the answer includes many figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the Official Report.
Mr. J. J. DavidsonCan the Minister say whether there has been a decrease or an increase between the two periods?
§ Sir J. ReithThe fatal accidents have increased—162 as against 60; and non-fatal accidents have decreased—8,286 as against 9,023.
§ Following is the answer:
§ I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that the numbers of fatal accidents and of non-fatal accidents involving personal injury in which
| Vehicles concerned. | Fatal accidents. | Non-fatal accidents involving personal injury. | ||||
| 1938–39 period. | 1939–40 period. | 1938–39 Period. | 1939–40 Period. | |||
| Trolley vehicles | … | 19 | 47 | 1,910 | 2,219 | |
| Tramcars | … | … | 7 | 20 | 2,021 | 1,690 |
| Central omnibuses | … | 27 | 89 | 4,538 | 3,883 | |
| Coaches | … | … | 5 | — | 200 | 40 |
| Country omnibuses | … | 2 | 6 | 354 | 454 | |
| 60 | 162 | 9,023 | 8,286 |
§ The Board point out, in regard to these figures, that coaches were not running in September or October, 1939, and ran subsequently only on three routes up to the end of January, 1940.
§ At the inquests on the 162 fatal accidents which occurred during the five months ended January, 1940, the verdict was "Accidental Death" in 148 cases, "Death by Misadventure" in 11 cases, "Death from Natural Causes" in two cases and "Suicide" in one case. In 94 of the fatal accidents the Coroner specifically exonerated the drivers concerned from all blame, and in only one case was there any criticism of the driver.