asked the Home Secretary the number of persons who have been prosecuted in the Metropolitan area for the 12 months ended the last convenient date for exceeding the speed limit in built-up areas under Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934; and whether he can state from the records at his disposal the gross amount in fines imposed upon such motorists, and the number of police officers detailed for this special duty?

In the year ended 31st December last there were 31,507 prosecutions for exceeding the speed limit in built-up areas in the Metropolitan Police District. Fines amounting to £40,954 were imposed. The speed limit is mainly enforced by means of traffic patrols, and the work is only one item among their various duties. The number of traffic patrols in the Metropolitan Police District is approximately 630.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform me how much time the traffic patrols spend on this work, and the cost to the ratepayers?

It is impossible to differentiate between this part of a policeman's duties and his other duties.