HC Deb 03 July 1950 vol 477 c34

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Sir HERBERT WILLIAMS:

68.To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the growing habit in London of vehicles overtaking other vehicles on the wrong side; and what prosecutions have taken place recently for this offence.

Sir H. Williams

Before asking this Question, Mr. Speaker, may I ask whether a record has been achieved by all the Oral Questions down for answer on one day being answered in an hour?

Hon. Members

It is not a record.

The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas)

Overtaking other vehicles or, the near side is not in itself an offence, but it may be a factor to be taken into consideration in prosecutions for dangerous or careless driving, particularly as the Highway Code advises drivers, with certain exceptions, to overtake on the right. No figures are available as to the number of such prosecutions in which overtaking on the wrong side was a feature.