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Motoring Offences (Penalties).

Oral Answers to Questions — Transport. – in the House of Commons at on 6 March 1935.

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Mr. WEST:

23.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the case where an Oxford undergraduate who recently ran down and killed a miner riding on a bicycle has been acquitted of a charge of manslaughter and of two other charges of negligence and dangerous driving, although the undergraduate admitted that he had been driving at 50 or 55 miles per hour; and, in view of this case and of others to which attention has been directed and other similar cases, will he take steps to strengthen the law so that in cases of this description a severe penalty shall be imposed?

Photo of Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha , Plymouth, Devonport

Whatever may be the facts in this case, Magistrates have been endowed by Parliament with powers to protect the public, but it is difficult to see how any further increase of these powers would be of effect in cases where Magistrates decide not to convict.

Mr. WEST:

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the justification in this case for not sending the man to prison was that it might ruin his career; and does he realise that these very light penalties which are inflicted are not tending to decrease the slaughter on our roads at the present time?

Photo of Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha Mr Leslie Hore-Belisha , Plymouth, Devonport

The question relates to an acquittal, and it is not proper, I think, that I should comment upon it.

Mr. WEST:

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that evidence was given by the police—

Photo of Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy Lieut-General Edward Fitzroy , Daventry

We cannot go into details.

Photo of Mr Rhys Davies Mr Rhys Davies , Westhoughton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling abroad that if a miner had killed an undergraduate, it would have been quite a different matter?

Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.