HC Deb 14 December 1961 vol 651 cc79-80W
106. Mr. Graham Page

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions there have been during the last convenient 12 months' period arising out of the failure of a driver of a vehicle to comply with the signal of a school-crossing patrol to stop.

Mr. R. A. Butler

No figures are available for the country as a whole. In 1960 there were 43 convictions in the Metropolitan Police District.

107. Mr. Graham Page

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent traffic wardens act as school-crossing patrols; and whether he will extend the duties of traffic wardens so that they may be employed in assisting pedestrians to cross the road.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The use of traffic wardens as school crossing patrols is a matter for the Commissioner of Police in the Metropolitan Police District and for the police authority elsewhere; but I know of no area in which they are so employed at present. As regards the second part of the Question, it would be premature to extend the duties of traffic wardens beyond those at present prescribed, but this is a matter to be reviewed in the light of experience, and I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind.