HC Deb 29 June 1955 vol 543 cc385-7
31. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent street accidents increased in the Metropolitan area during the recent period when road traffic substantially increased owing to the railway strike; what was the approximate increase in the volume of this traffic; what information has been gathered from experience in that period which could further increase road safety measures; and, in particular, what variation in traffic and in accidents were registered in High Road, Leytonstone, and Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, during the same period.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have only statistics in respect of such of these accidents as involved personal injury. As these figures are long and complicated, I will, with permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the quarterly figures from March, 1951, to March, 1955.

Mr. Allaun

Is the Minister aware that certain private road haulage firms are employing drivers conditional on their being prepared to work regular 86 hours per week, that there are other private firms which are paying their drivers on a mileage basis, and what is the Minister's view about the obvious dangers involved?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

In so far as any breach of the law is, in the hon. Gentleman's view, being committed, if he furnishes particulars the matter can be investigated. I do not think that the wider general question which he raises arises out of the accident figures that I have given.

Following are the figures:

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and my Department are studying the lessons to be drawn from conditions existing during the railway strike, including the effect upon accidents, but it will be some little time before conclusions can be drawn from the information collected. There was some increase in accidents, and this was most marked among pedal cyclists. A number of traffic counts was taken at peak periods during the strike and showed increases which varied from 7 to 70 per cent. in the inner area to as much as 170 per cent. on some of the radial routes outside the central area. I am sending the hon. Member some information about traffic and accidents in High Road, Leytonstone, and Lea Bridge Road, Leyton.

Mr. Sorensen

When does the Minister estimate that he will be in a position to publish this report in view of the very great significance and importance of the investigation?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I did not say a report in the formal sense was being prepared, but if, after my investigation of this with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Home Secretary, the hon. Gentleman has a question on any particular aspect to put, we will do our best to answer it.

Mr. Lewis

In view of the Minister's statement that there has been a great increase in accidents to cyclists outside the Central London area, will he recommend cyclists to use the cycling tracks which are provided on most of these roads, because it is very difficult for motorists to avoid them when it is dark?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I think the hon. Gentleman misunderstood my original answer. I fully agree, none the less, with the general inference which he drew from it.