HC Deb 01 February 1961 vol 633 cc965-6
13. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Minister of Transport how many road accidents there were in the County Borough of Derby in the calendar year 1960; how many were fatal; and how many people were seriously injured.

Mr. Hay

There were 691 accidents involving death or injury. I am sorry to say that 18 people were killed and 241 were seriously injured.

Mr. Noel-Baker

I am sure that the Parliamentary Secretary and his right hon. Friend will agree that these are horrifying figures. Will they do everything in their power to help the Derby Council to carry through the road improvements it wishes to make? Secondly, will the Minister call for an expert inquiry into the present cost of road accidents to the nation to ascertain how heavy it is?

Mr. Hay

With regard to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, we shall, of course, consistent with our duty generally to improve roads throughout the country, do all we can to assist in Derby. With regard to the second part, I very much doubt that an inquiry of that kind would give us any more information than we have already about the causes of accidents.

Mr. Noel-Baker

During the latter part of the war, there was such an inquiry, which proved that the cost of accidents to the nation—which did not fall on the Chancellor of the Exchequer but on the citizens of the country—was enormously heavy. It must be very much greater today. Would it not help to put the problem in proper perspective if we knew what the cost was?

Mr. Hay

I am sorry to disagree with the right hon. Gentleman, but we have looked at this very carefully in recent months and we are quite satisfied that there would be no great advantage to be obtained from an inquiry of that kind.

Mr. Noel-Baker

May I press the Minister?

Mr. Speaker

No. I think we ought to go on. I am sorry.

Mr. Noel-Baker

With great respect, I have had such an inquiry made—

Mr. Speaker

I think that the right hon. Gentleman did not understand me. Mr. Pannell, Question No. 14.