HC Deb 17 March 1960 vol 619 cc1455-7
7. Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that, whereas the number of pedestrians killed in the Metropolitan Police area during the first half of 1959 was thirty-four less than during the first half of 1958, the number killed during the second half of the year was forty-seven more than in 1958, and that this reversal of the trend coincided with a relaxation of the enforcement of the speed limit since June, 1959; and what action he proposes to take in this matter.

Mr. Renton

Although the number of pedestrians killed in the first half of the year was less in 1959 than in 1958, the number of those injured was substantially greater. There has unfortunately been a fairly steady increase in accidents to pedestrians during the last few years, and there is no reason to think that the increase in the second half of last year resulted from any change in enforcement policy. The object of the instructions given by the Commissioner of Police in June last year was to intensify the efforts of the police to improve road manners and standards of driving and so to prevent road accidents. I am informed by the Commissioner, who is responsible for law enforcement, that he is keeping a very close watch on the situation.

Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

That reply is welcome as far as it goes, but did not my hon. and learned Friend observe how widely the Commissioner's policy was apparently misrepresented in the national Press, on 9th February, as being one of non-enforcement of the 30 m.p.h. limit? Does not my hon. and learned Friend think that in view of his reply it might have been better if an immediate contradiction had been issued? Further, would not he agree that the policy of appeasement of lawbreakers is dangerous if carried too far?

Mr. Renton

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that there is no question of the appeasement of law-breakers. I hope that what I am about to say may be taken as a contradiction of what he has quoted. The position is that last June the Commissioner issued instructions to the police, to which some publicity was given by him, the object of those instructions being to secure a greater enforcement of the law and better standards of driving. A prosecution by summons is not the only means of enforcement, and the Commissioner arranged that a greater proportion of speeding offences of the less serious kind should be dealt with by warning rather than by summons. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the Commissioner is anxious to enforce the law and that energetic action is being taken to prevent reckless or dangerous driving whenever possible.