LORD SALTOUNasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether in the case of car accidents which are likely to end fatally it would be possible to expedite the broadcast appeals for assistance by the police.
§ LORD DERWENTMy right honourable friend has been informed by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that in the first six months of this year he sent to the B.B.C. 204 requests for broadcasts following accidents. Fifty-six per cent. of these were sent within three days of the accident, 83 per cent. within seven days and 97.5 per cent. within two weeks. Some delay between an accident and a request for a broadcast appeal is inevitable to determine whether a broadcast is necessary, but I understand that the Commissioner is satisfied that the system is adequate to meet the needs of the police. Consideration is always given to requests for broadcasts if a fatality can be foreseen and no useful witnesses can be traced.