Accidents (Hansard, 10 February 1954)

§ 5. Mr. Erroll
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many fatal road accidents there were per 10,000 vehicles in 1930, 1938 and 1952.

§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Hugh Molson)
The number of fatal road accidents per 10,000 mechanically-propelled road vehicles is: in 1930, 32; 1938, 22.5; 1952, 9.6.

§ Mr. Erroll
Will my hon. Friend ensure that these favourable figures are given equal publicity to the unfavourable figures?

§ Mr. Molson
We give the figures with complete objectivity and draw attention at the same time to those features that are favourable as well as to those that are unfavourable.

§ 18. Sir H. Williams
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviationif he will state for the latest year for which both figures are available, the total number of road accidents and the number of these accidents in which, in the opinion of the police, dogs in the carriageway were re garded as a contributory factor.

§ Mr. Molson
In 1952 there were 171,757 personal injury accidents of which 2,596 were attributed primarily to dogs in the carriageway.

§ Sir H. Williams
Did my hon. Friend hear a statement recently by a Member of the Opposition that dogs are responsible for one in six road accidents?

§ Mr. Molson
I believe the correct figure is one in 70.

§ Mr. Peter Freeman
As it is estimated that in only one-tenth of the cases do the names and addresses of owners appear on the collars of dogs, will the hon. Gentleman, in order to avoid some of these accidents, consult the Home Secretary with a view to having the names and addresses of owners put on the collars of all dogs in future? Could there not be a check to ensure that this is done before new licences are granted?

§ 19. Sir H. Williams
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when 1158 "Road Accidents 1952"will be published; and if he will present this as a Parliamentary Paper.

§ Mr. Molson
I understand that "Road Accidents 1952" will be published next week. My right hon. Friend does not propose to present it as a Parliamentary Paper, but will make it available at the Vote Office.

§ 23. Mr. Swingler
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if, in view of the fact that in the past four years there have been 1,275 accidents, 22 of them fatal, on the 863 miles of the A34 road passing through Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, he will, as highway authority, consult with the two local authorities about special measures to reduce accidents on this road.

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
There has been frequent consultation with the two local authorities, and my officers will maintain close touch with them about measures to reduce accidents on this road. Some measures have already been taken, and others are under consideration.

§ Mr. Swingler
These actions not having been sufficient to produce results, is the Minister aware that the only solution is a by-pass road round Newcastle-under-Lyme and Stoke-on-Trent? In the meantime, will he take steps to obtain concerted police and safety action on this road more urgently than heretofore? That is the only way to reduce the dangers on this "road of death" as the "Staffordshire Sentinel" called it?

§ Mr. Lennox-Boyd
The police there, as elsewhere, have many difficulties. I have been looking carefully into this matter and I will gladly discuss the matter with all hon. Members interested, if they care to arrange it.