§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the, growing danger to pedestrians through the habitual abuse of the roads by motor cyclists who rely upon speed and difficulty of identification to escape arrest; if he is aware that the motor cycling Press affords evidence that the breaking of the speed limit is customary, and that the new Regulations as to noise have been altogether ignored by motor cyclists; and what he purposes to do in these circumstances to suppress this public nuisance?
§ Mr. McKENNAThere are unfortunately many instances in which motor cyclists in-2826W fringe the law and regulations as to speed and the use of cut-outs; but the evidence before me does not indicate that these offences are as frequent as my hon. Friend suggests. The police do their best to check them. I would refer him to what I said on 27th May last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kincardine with regard to the steps I have taken for the enforcement by the police of the Local Government Board Regulations.
§ Mr CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Home Secretary if he is aware that the use of many roads by pedestrians and by ordinary cyclists has become exceedingly dangerous owing to the perils caused by motor cars and motor cycles; that parents have found it necessary in many districts to forbid their children to ride ordinary bicycles; and whether any attempt is to be made to restore the use of the public roads to the public?
§ Mr. McKENNAI have no evidence of the existence, in the country generally, of so serious a state of affairs as is indicated in the question. In the Metropolitan police district, I find that the police this year have increased their vigilance, and that a larger number of prosecutions against motorists has been instituted by them than in any previous year. My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the whole question of motor traffic in the Metropolis has been under the consideration of a Select Committee, and that their Report, issued yesterday, makes a number of suggestions for the better control of motor traffic and the diminution of danger.
§ Mr. CHIOZZA MONEYasked the Home Secretary if his attention has been directed to the fact that, on 5th August, the chairman of the Newmarket magisterial bench, in fining a motor cyclist for riding his machine at a speed dangerous to the public, said that motor cycles were the greatest curse they had on the road; and what he purposes to do to arm magistrates with larger powers to help them to cope with the evil?
§ Mr. McKENNAMy attention had not previously been called to the case in question. I have had no representations to the effect that magistrates generally regard their existing powers as insufficient.