§ Mr. GOSSLINGasked the Minister of Transport how many fatalities from motor car traffic have occurred this year; whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in these accidents as shown by the complete figures for 19229; if he intends to investigate the relevance of the human factor in these statistics; whether he will inquire into the desirability of imposing upon drivers of motor vehicles tests on the lines of those advocated by the experts of the National Institute of Industrial Psychology; and whether he is aware of the results that have been achieved by the application of similar principles in the United States?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONThe figures for which my hon. Friend asks are not yet available, but I am aware of the tendency of motor accidents to increase in number. It is my intention if the Road Traffic Bill becomes law to utilise the powers which it would confer on me in order to investigate and analyse the causes of motor accidents. At present I am not convinced that any substantial proportion of the accidents in this country are due to deficiencies on the part of drivers which would be disclosed by any form of test.
§ Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the Home Secretary whether any steps have yet been taken in instructing the police as to what constitutes dangerous and careless driving of motor vehicles, respectively, in view of the distinction drawn between these two offences in the Road Traffic Bill?
§ Mr. SHORTNo, Sir. Any such step would be premature until the Road Traffic Bill has been passed.