HC Deb 01 October 1941 vol 374 cc570-1
43 and 44. Captain Duncan

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport (1), whether he will seek the co-operation of the Ministry of Information and the Board of Education to run a propaganda campaign this winter with the object of reducing the number of casualties on the roads;

(2) what steps he is taking to reduce the number of accidents on the roads?

Colonel Llewellin

In war-time the measures that can be taken, whether by regulation or otherwise, to reduce road accidents are necessarily limited. The problem can only effectively be tackled with the full co-operation of all road users drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. We have accordingly arranged for an intensive road safety campaign to be undertaken by the Ministry of Information during the coming winter. This will make use of Press, Broadcasting and Film. The Board of Education are arranging for special attention to be given to the instruction of school-children in road safety questions. The Home Secretary has assured us that the police will do their utmost to ensure such traffic supervision as is possible under present conditions. With the help of the Committee of which I informed the House during the Debate on the Adjournment before the Recess, I am examining a number of suggestions in order that every practicable step may be taken to reduce road accidents.

Captain Duncan

While I thank my right hon. and gallant Friend for that reply, will he do everything he can to bring home to the public the appalling number of road accidents in war-time?

Colonel Llewellin

Yes, Sir.

74. Captain Duncan

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of War Transport by what percentage the number of deaths and injuries to persons on the roads of Great Britain in 1940 exceeded the total casualties, excluding prisoners of war, to the British Expeditionary Force in 1939–1940; and whether the deaths and injuries so far in 1941 have exceeded those of 1940, and by how much?

Colonel Llewellin

The casualty figures of the British Expeditionary Force in 1939–40 have not been published. We have not got particulars of the number of injured during 1940 in road accidents. The number of deaths resulting from road accidents in the eight months January-August, 1941, exceeded those in the same period of 1940 by 1,465.

Captain Duncan

What was the percentage increase over the previous year?

Colonel Llewellin

I am afraid I did not work that out, and I cannot do so on the spur of the moment.