HC Deb 11 November 1953 vol 520 cc943-5
50. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many elementary school children were killed or injured on the roads during the last period of one year of which he has a record, and also during the previous year; and in how many of these cases the accident took place while going to and from school.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The statistics do not distinguish between elementary and other school children. In 1951, the number of children between the ages of five and 15 killed, seriously injured and slightly injured on the roads were 554, 6,961 and 25,119, a total of 32,634, and in 1952 the comparable figures were 460 killed, 6,805 seriously injured and 24,538 slightly injured, a total of 31,803. I cannot say how many of these accidents occurred on the way to and from school, but I will send the hon. Member a copy of "Road Accidents, 1951" which gives the times when casualties occurred to children. The most dangerous hour seems to be between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon.

Mr. Hastings

In view of his last statement, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that every care is taken to prevent accidents when children are returning from school?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am sure that a great deal of care is taken, but I should hesitate to say that everything is perfect, because clearly a number did occur in that hour. In consultation with my colleagues, I am always looking for a way to improve safety in this direction.

Mr. G. Thomas

Has the Minister an arrangement with the police in various parts of the country so that their patrols are on duty in the afternoon when accidents of this kind take place?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Through the Ministry of Education and the Home Office, we have arrangements in most parts of the country and we are always anxious to perfect them.

Mr. Lewis

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the very dangerous situation on the Great Cambridge Road, at Edmonton, where the Edmonton County Grammar School is situated on the main arterial road, and the derestriction for the 30-mile-an-hour limit is lifted right outside the school so that motorists are allowed to go at any speed they like without any restriction whatever? Will he not look at this particular case?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

While congratulating the hon. Gentleman on being able to get that point across, I will certainly look at that particular case.