§ LORD NEWTONMy Lords, I beg to move for a Return showing the regulations in force in the principal European countries with respect to the speed of motor cars. When I put this Motion on the Paper I was under the impression that the Ministry of Transport had all the necessary information in their possession, but I gather that it will take considerable time to obtain the information for which I am asking. I do not want to give unnecessary trouble. I suggest that it will be quite sufficient if the facts could be given with regard to, say, France, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, and Germany. In the meanwhile, if the noble Lord who answers for the Government has any semi-official information in his possession, perhaps he will be able to give it me now. It seems to me that we are bound to have legislation before long, and the more information we can get the better.
§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEMy Lords, from the information that I have obtained from the Ministry of Transport, there will be no difficulty about this; on the contrary, they will be most happy to place at the noble Lord's disposal all the information that they have on the subject at present. Indeed, I think they go further. They would be prepared to endeavour to get more complete and more official information on the subject than 776 they now have, and to place it in a form in which it would be of service to the noble Lord and to others who are interested in this subject. If he will be content with what I have said, I will see that, at as early a time as possible, the best information shall be given to him on this subject.
§ LORD LAMINGTONMy Lords, I do not know whether it would be possible that in giving this information it could also be stated what is the number of accidents that occur abroad. So far as I know, the limit of speed, bad as it is in this country, is greatly exceeded in France and Germany, and if we had a Return on the lines suggested it would be rather misleading unless we also knew the results of this increased speed in other countries.
§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEIt seems to me that the suggestion of the noble Lord goes very much further than anything indicated in the Motion. I certainly cannot say that the Ministry would be disposed to give that information, even if they have it. But if the noble Lord will put a Question to me a few days hence I shall be in a position, I have no doubt, to give him a definite answer.
§ LORD LAMINGTONPerhaps you could tell me privately. I should be quite satisfied.
§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEI should be rather glad if the noble Lord, Lord Newton, would postpone the Motion for a Return, because I do not think that the Ministry of Transport at present is quite in a position to say whether so formal a thing as a Return would be easily made. Perhaps the noble Lord would not press for a Return at present, but be satisfied with what I have told him as to the willingness of the Department to give all the information that they can.
§ LORD NEWTONWill it satisfy the noble Lord if I put it off for a few days—till next week?
§ LORD MUIR MACKENZIEYes.
§ LORD NEWTONI beg leave to withdraw the Motion.
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.