HC Deb 13 May 1941 vol 371 cc1055-6
12. Sir T. Moore

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the reduction in the daily number of accidents caused to, or by, military motor-vehicles since he issued his recent preventative instructions.

Captain Margesson

I am glad to say that the number of accidents reported in March in which Army vehicles were involved was 19 per cent. less than those reported in February, and the figures for April show a further reduction of 12 per cent. on those for March. In this connection the House may like to know the results of a recent census and analysis of the fatal accidents in which War Department vehicles have been concerned in the first three months of 1941. During this period a total of 2,264 persons were killed in traffic accidents throughout Great Britain, and of these 2,137 were civilians. The number of civilians killed as a result of an accident in which a War Department vehicle was in any way concerned was less than 6 per cent. of this total and the number of cases in which an Army driver was to blame was just under 2 per cent. That is to say about 40 civilians were killed as a result of negligence by soldiers. The number of soldiers who were killed on the roads during the same period was 129, and, of these, 52 were killed as a result of the negligence of another soldier. I hope that these figures will help to remove certain misconceptions which have arisen with regard to the extent to which Army vehicles are responsible for casualties on the roads. But I would not like the House to think that the position is regarded with complacency by my Department, and I can assure them that the problem of securing a further reduction in the accident figures will continue to be pursued with the utmost vigour.

Sir T. Moore

Very satisfactory.

Sir Stanley Reed

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend agree that Army drivers are taught to drive with resolution and confidence, and in an emergency would be called upon to do so, and is it not inexpedient to weaken that confidence by exaggerating the extent of the damage done by Army vehicles?

Captain Margesson

I am very glad to hear that tribute to Army drivers, with which I thoroughly agree.

Mr. Maxton

But will they be trained to see that they do not kill the people on their own side?

Captain Margesson

Most certainly. The training of Army drivers is a most careful business.

Mr. Silverman

When the right hon. and gallant Gentleman says that in only 2 per cent. of the cases were the accidents caused by the negligence of soldiers, will he tell the House who was the judge of that? How did the right hon. and gallant Gentleman arrive at the conclusion that in only 2 per cent. of the cases was there negligent driving by soldiers?

Captain Margesson

I presume that the remainder of the cases were not due to negligence.

Mr. Silverman

The right hon. and gallant Gentleman is not seized of my point. In a particular case, who has to decide whether there has been negligence and who was negligent?

Captain Margesson

I take it that this information is the result of inquiries and investigations, possibly in civil courts.