HC Deb 26 April 1922 vol 153 cc573-4W
Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Home Secretary the number of fatal and nonfatal street accidents in this country during each year from 1913 to 1921, inclusive; and whether, in view of the increase in the number of such accidents, he will take into consideration the appointment of a Committee to inquire and report on some methods of regulating traffic which will minimise such accidents?

Mr. SHORTT

The number of street accidents in England and Wales during the years 1913 to 1921 is as follow:

Fatal. Non-Fatal.
1913 1,743 38,050
1914 1,991 53,481
1915 2,564 54,222
1916 2,393 46,090
1917 2,047 38,326
1918 1,852 31,604
1919 2,239 43,305
1920 2,386 49,317
1921 2,328 55,153
I understand that the Ministry of Transport is not prepared at the present time to recommend the appointment of a Committee such as that suggested in the second part of the question. The second Interim Report of the Departmental Committee on the Regulation of Road Vehicles contains various suggestions for the regulation of road vehicles, with a view to minimising the risk of accidents and for the institution of inquiries into road accidents of a serious character.