HC Deb 08 April 1943 vol 388 cc788-9
15. Sir W. Brass

asked the Home Secretary how many motor-cars marked with a priority label were timed by the Metropolitan Police during the years 1941–1942, in view of the fact that motor-cars marked with priority are not permitted to exceed 30 miles per hour in built-up areas in war time; and what percentage of those timed were proceeded against for exceeding the statutory limit?

Mr. H. Morrison

I regret that these particulars are not separately recorded, and I am therefore unable to supply the information desired.

Sir W. Brass

Is not the procedure this, that Cabinet Ministers' priority cars are timed by the Metropolitan Police to exceed the limit and that then they are not proceeded against by the Commissioner of Police, because obviously it would not be in his interest to do so? Is there any truth in the rumour that the Gestapo timed Hitler going down the Unter den Linden, and that he is to be prosecuted for exceeding the limit?

Mr. Morrison

The latter part of the question had better be addressed to the corresponding Minister in Germany, if there is one. On the first point, I have no information to that effect. The Commissioner of Police has to do his duty irrespective of who the person may be. I have no personal experience of having been timed myself.