HC Deb 16 November 1939 vol 353 c850W
Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Home Secretary whether, in any future arrangements concerning the closing of business premises, he will take into account such evidence as the Birmingham City Coroner's, to the effect that half the fatal accidents now investigated by him followed immediately on visits to public houses?

Sir J. Anderson

I assume that the hon. Member refers to a statement made by the Birmingham City Coroner on the 26th September that out of 12 road fatalities during the black-out six had occurred to persons who had just left public houses. People are peculiarly liable to accidents immediately after coming out of any lighted premises into the darkness, and I am informed that there was no suggestion in any of these cases that drink was a contributory cause of the accident.