HC Deb 19 February 1941 vol 369 cc137-9
39. Sir Adam Maitland

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now able to give the number of road accidents in which members of the Forces have been involved during the last three months, or for such a period as he has been able to obtain information?

The Minister of Transport (Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon)

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has kindly provided me with an analysis of road accidents in the Metropolitan police district during the months of December, 1940, and January, 1941. In December, 1940, out of 4,128 casualties from road accidents, 223 resulted from accidents in which Service vehicles were involved. In January, 1941, the casualties were 2,929, and 219 of these resulted from accidents in which Service vehicles were involved. A census of traffic taken over a period of 24 hours at the end of January, at 42 points in the area, indicated that the ratio of Service to civilian vehicles using the roads was about 1:25.

Sir A. Maitland

These figures apply only to the Metropolitan area. Has my right hon. and gallant Friend been able to form an opinion as to the significance of these figures?

Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon

I have not made up my mind about them. It is not really my province, and I may take the matter up with the Home Secretary. These figures want a lot of analysis before they will show whether there is any particular tendency. If they show such a tendency, I will take the matter up.

Sir A. Maitland

In view of the great public concern, will the Minister make further investigations, in order to see to what extent there is an undue number of accidents in the provinces as well as in the London area, arising from vehicles in use by the Forces?

Viscountess Astor

Will the Minister give us the times of these accidents and also tell the House how many of them are due to drivers having taken even a slight amount of alcohol? [Interruption.] It is important. We have to face this matter.

Lieut. -Colonel Moore-Brabazon

The figures of accidents during daylight and during the night have already been published. On the alcohol question, I have not the figures at present.

Viscountess Astor

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that a Commission was set up? Over 1,000 people were being killed a month. Is it not really vital that this question should be taken into consideration? If alcohol is causing the trouble, surely we ought to do something about it.

Lieut.-Colonel Moore-Brabazon

The Question put to me relates to the difference between the Services and civilians. On that question, I do not think the alcohol aspect arises.