§ 26. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation to what extent road accidents in the London area have been reduced since petrol rationing.
§ Mr. NugentCasualties arising from road accidents in the Metropolitan Police Area, from the 17th December, 1956, to the 31st January, 1957, were 5,716 compared with 7,119 between the same dates in 1955–56.
§ Mr. LiptonWhile thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that reply, may I ask him if he is aware that the Government have reduced the number of accidents by diminishing the number of private cars, and will he give an assurance that he or his right hon. Friend will not exclude the possibility, if it becomes necessary, of imposing some restriction on private cars during the rush hours, for example, in Central London, when other traffic must have priority? Is it not desirable to maintain this improvement even if it means some such restriction?
§ Mr. NugentWhile I sympathise with the hon. Gentleman in his desire to reduce road accidents, I must tell him quite flatly that my right hon. Friend and I do not intend to introduce restriction of motor cars coming into central London. We feel that other measures which we are proposing will be more effective and, what is more important, more acceptable.