ROAD TRANSPORT MATTERS IN PARLIAMENT.
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Damage to Property by Vibration. Two-seater Taxicabs. Post Office Mail Vans. Dazzle and Accidents. Seating Accommodation in Buses.
By Our Special Parliamentary Correspondent.
OWING to lack of time, no discussion took place in the House of Lords on Lord Rathcreedan's proposal that the Government should consider the advisability of taking steps to diminish the damage now sustained by owners and occupiers of house property in close proximity to roads used by heavy vehicles, more especially those roads used by omnibuses in the vicinity of the metropolis. Lord Rathcreedan was content to sub-mit the suggestion without a speech. Viscount Peel replied briefly for the Government, explaining that the view of the Ministry of Transport was rather towards strengthening and improving road surfaces—a process which was being carried on as rapidly as possible— than placing fresh limitations on the weight and speed of heavy motor vehicles. The Minister of Transport, he said, had had very little evidence of damage caused to houses by vibration, and did not feel that any case had been made out for reducing the present local limits of weight and speed for heavy vehicles. He reminded the House that legislation would be proposed for the regulation of public service vehicles.
Short-period Licences,
111HE Minister of Transport states that he is not
dis
posed to recommend the issue of licences to owners of chars-à-bancs, etc., for any shorter period than a month, as provided under the Road Vehicles (Part Year Licensing) Order, 1924.
Increased Penalty for Drunkenness.
THE House of Lords, on Tuesday last, made a notable .1 change in the Criminal Justice Bill when it was being considered on report. On the motion of Earl Russell it was agreed, in spite of the Government's statement that it would not be in the public interest, to add to the penalties of being drunk in charge of a
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mechanically propelled vehicle, disqualification to hold a licence to drive-for twelve months from the date of the conviction. A number of peers spoke strongly in favour of the proposal, Lord Carson going so far as to express the view that a convicted driver should never he licensed again. The Government view expressed by the Lord Chancellor was that very severe penalties often defeated the object in view, and that justices already had power at discretion to impose disqualification for a period longer even than twelve months. Nevertheless, the amendment was carried by 47 votes to 37. The House of Commons has yet to review the decision of their Lordships before the Bill passes into law.
Two-seater Taxicabs.
A LTHOUGH the Home Office has been in possession ti_of the report of the Committee on two-seater taximeter cabs for at least four months, no decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the recommendations. As already stated, however, there is to be a conference with the cab owners regarding fares.
Import Duties and Employment.
MR. SNOWDEN, as an unbending doctrinaire Free Trader, set himself the task in the Commons debates on the Safeguarding of Industries duties to rebut the theory that import duties increase employment. He instanced the motor duties under the McKenna series, and submitted that there were more people out of work in the motor trade, than there were before the duties were imposed. He pointed out that on July 1st, 1924, just before the McKenna duties were temporarily abolished, 23,860 persons were employed in Coventry on the manufacture and repair of motor vehicles. After twelve months in which no duties had been in operation the number employed had risen to 28,300. Whereas at
the end of the five years of protection for the motorcar industry there were 9.4 per cent. unemployed in Coventry, 13.8 per cent. in Wolverhampton, and 15 per cent. In Birmingham, unemployment fell during the year in which the duties were off to 5.3 per cent. in Coventry, 10.5 per cent. in Wolverhampton, and 8.6 per cent. in Birmingham, whilst to-day the figures of unemployment stood just a little higher than when the duties were reimposed last June.
Time Limit for Prosecutions.
fT1T-IE Minister of Transport states that he has under consideration in connection with forthcoming legislation the question of a time limit within which proceedings may be instituted for offences committed against the Motor Car Act, 1903, or the Motor Car (Use and Construction) Order, 1904.
Upholstery and Germs.
A N attack has been made by Colonel Applin on the i'l_upholstery of public vehicles. Rep, velveteen, and other soft and clinging material, he declares, collect dirt end disease germs and broadcasts them among the passengers and should be replaced by leather or 'other 'washable material. This matter, it was pointed out, was for individual licensing authorities, although the Minister of Transport promised to bear the suggestion in mind. There was considerable laughter over a referawe to the encouragement of pulex irritans, and Col. Ashley's expression of belief that the ordinary passenger would rather risk the germs and have the soft and clinging material.
Post Office Mail Vans.
AN important question was addressed to the Postmaster-General on the, 15th inst. with regard to Post Office mail vans. Colonel Day asked whether a fleet of motorvans not wholly of British manufacture had recently been purchased by his department for use at the Birmingham post office, whether tenders were asked from manufacturers of purely British motor vehicles, and whether it was intended that motorcars made by British labour should have preference over vans of American manufacture in view of the Prime Minister's appeal to buy British goods. Sir W. Mitchell-Thomson's reply was in the following terms:— The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative. Experimental orders were placed early this year of vehicles of purely British manufacture, but the test of these has not yet been sufficient to show that they are entirely suitable for the requirements of the mail service. The vans referred to in the first part of the question are ,British-made Fords, and I am informed that over 90 per cent. of the labour and material employed in their manufacture is British.
Seating Accommodation in Omnibuses.
IT is alleged by Col. Applin that the seating accommodation in the new type of General omnibus when full is overcrowded, and that there is inadequate passenger room between the seats, and he suggests that the L.G.O.C. should be approached with a view to discontinuing the building of this type. The Home Secretary is not of the same opinion. He is' advised that the accommodation provided is reasonably adequate, and he sees no occasion for any special representations on his part to the company.
Inspection of Petrol Pumps.
LOCAL authorities have evidently been urging Members of Parliament to support the supervision and inspection of petrol pumps. There Is, of course, a Government Bill for the purpose now on the stocks and, although time has not been found for carrying the measure further than the first reading, it is the intention of the Government to reintroduce it immediately after the reassembly of the House at the beginning of February. The Bill will thus probably be placed on the Statute Book before next summer, Dazzle and Accidents.
VirR. GROVES, the Labour member for Stratford, in .1.V.I.support of his suggestion that restrictions should be Imposed on the use of high-power headlights, estimated that, of nearly 56,000 motor accidents last year, • 6,600 were incidental to night riding. Col. MooreBrabazon confessed his inability to-check the t stimate of the number of accidents incidental to night driving, and pointed out that the question of powers to deal with dazzling headlights was being considered in connection with the promised Road Vehicles Bill.
Victoria *Docks Road Scheme.
EART. RUSSELL initiated a short debate in the House of Lords on the proposal to construct a new Victoria Docks Road. The scheme was strongly supported by Lord Montagu, who, after calling attention to the great congestion of traffic in the neighbourhood, stated that, when he was on the Road Board, the cost was estimated at about £2,500,000, whereas now it would be about £3,000,000 or £4,000,000. The Government reply was not very encouraging. Viscount Peel observed that the subject was one of very great magnitude and complexity, involving the destruction of much house property and the provision of alternative accommodation. The matter had been examined carefully in the last year and preliminary surveys, drawings and models had been prepared, but, until it was considered in much greater detail, it was not possible to estimate the cost. The London Traffic Advisory Committee had reported that this was one of the most urgently required improvements in the area of Greater London. It was further pointed out by Lord Peel that the initiative in legislation for the purpose of promoting the scheme lay with the local authorities and not with the Minister of Transport.
Steam Wagon Accidents.
FATALITIES caused by steam wagons in London during the year ended October 31st last numbered 20, in addition to 11 due to trailers drawn by si cii wagons.
Complaints About Steamers.
TR. WALTER BAKER has asked the Minister of .1ILTransport to re-examine the complaints respecting steam tractors in view of the annoyance and danger caused by sparks and smoke, and accidents due to the smoke-chimney obstructing the driver's view. He suggested the desirability of some limitation of this type of tractor. Col. Ashley, informed Mr. Baker that he was aware of the objections mentioned to certain types of steam tractors, and the matter was at present under discussion with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Tottenham Hale Goods Station.
lurR. It. MORRISON having called attention to the .1.V_Lloss and inconvenience sustained by owners of transport using the London and North-Eastern Railway Co'.s goods station at Tottenham Hale, Col. MooreBrabazon said that one of the firms using the station had complained of its inadequacy, and the Minister of Transport had been in communication with the railway company on the subject. The company stated that they had the matter under consideration and hoped shortly to be able to reach a decision.
Omnibus and Coach Accidents.
NO separate figures are kept relating to omnibus and motor coach accidents in rural districts, but the total number of such accidents in England, Scotland and Wales during 1924 is given as 459 fatal and 6,014 non-fatal.
Poplar Street-widening Scheme.
pOPLAR (London) Borough Council are contemplating an improvement of Garford Street, Poplar, but no formal application has yet been made to the Minister of Transport.