HC Deb 29 April 1941 vol 371 cc327-8
7. Captain McEwen

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the number of accidents due to careless driving of motor vehicles or bicycles by the military is increasing, and what steps does he think it necessary to take to reduce it?

Mr. Law

As has been indicated on previous occasions, my right hon. Friend has been much concerned at the number of accidents in which Army vehicles are involved, and he has been carefully examining all possible means of reducing this number. Strict instructions have been issued enjoining observance of traffic regulations, road signs and speed restrictions imposed by law, and also laying down maximum speed limits for the various classes of Army vehicles in areas where no speed limit is imposed by law. In addition, lectures on this subject are given at training schools and units by officers of the Claims Commission. As regards the enforcement of the instructions, extra patrols have been instituted by the military police, and the civil police are also co-operating by prosecuting any serious cases of bad driving, and by reporting other cases to the military authorities. Each of these cases is carefully reviewed at Command headquarters to ensure that adequate disciplinary action is taken, and further instructions are shortly to be issued on this aspect of the question.

Captain McEwen

Is my hon. Friend aware that in many parts of the country the complaint is that the civil police seem to be afraid to take action?

Mr. Law

I think that that is a matter which ought to be taken up with another Department; they certainly have power to take full action.

Mr. Silverman

Can the hon. Gentle-may say whether, when an Army driver is involved in an accident on the road, he is under the same liability as a civilian to report the accident to the police, so that particulars may be taken then and there?

Mr. Law

I am not absolutely certain whether he is under any liability to report an accident to the police, but he is certainly under the liability to report it to the military authorities. I will look into the point.

Mr. Silverman

Is it not a fact that when an accident occurs in which casualties happen there is a liability to report to the police?

Mr. Law

I will have that looked into.

Sir H. Williams

Can my hon. Friend say what time lapses between a complaint being received and the police being communicated with on the matter?