§ Mr. GARDNERasked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the numerous accidents caused by vehicles passing stationary tramcars whilst passengers are boarding and alighting; and whether he will consider the propriety of taking some preventive action?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI am aware that accidents have happened in the circumstances mentioned by the hon. Member, but I do not think that any more effective means of preventing them can be found than the enforcement of the law relating to dangerous driving. Nor am I satisfied that legislation forbidding the drivers of other vehicles to pass tramcars on the near side while passengers1206W are boarding or alighting, apart from its effect in adding to the congestion of traffic, would be desirable in the interests, of public safety. The conferment of such powers on municipal authorities under local Acts has repeatedly been refused by Parliament.