HL Deb 26 February 1866 vol 181 cc1085-6
THE MARQUESS OF WESTMEATH

rose to call the attention of the House to the necessity for the Home Office taking some effectual steps to lessen the danger to which foot passengers are exposed in the streets of the metropolis. Between 1858 and 1860 no less than thirty persons were killed and 370 maimed in the City, and 104 killed and 1,457 maimed in the metropolitan police district. From January, 1862, to May, 1863, there were six killed and 193 injured in the City, and 132 killed and 1,304 injured in the metropolitan district. The heavy traffic was driven through our streets at, in very many cases, much too rapid a rate of speed; and at coroners' inquests verdicts of "accidental death" were returned in many cases in which the verdict ought rather to be "murder caused by in difference." It was the duty of the Home Office to look to this matter, which ought not to be left to an individual Peer. The noble Marquess concluded by moving an address for— Return of all Cases which have come to the Cognizance of the Metropolitan Police, whereby, since the 1st of January, 1865 up to the present Time, any Person has been run over and killed by any Carriage within the District and the Superintendence of the said Force; and a like Return as to every Person maimed or otherwise injured by the same Sources; also a Statement whether the Horses drawing any Carriage at the Time of each Accident were being driven or led."—(The Marquess of Westmeath.)

Motion agreed to.

Also— Return of ail Cases which have come to the Cognizance of the City Police since the 1st of January 1865, up to the present Time, whereby any Person has been run over and killed by any Carriage within the District and the Superintendence of the said Force; and a like Return as to any Person maimed or injured by the same or similar Means; also a Statement whether the Horses drawing any Carriage at the Time of each Accident were being driven or led: Return of Summonses taken out by the Police for furious driving where no Death has happened."—(The Marquess of Westmeath.)

Ordered to be laid before the House.

House adjourned at half past Seven o'clock, till to-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.