§ Mr. McGovernI desire to make a personal explanation in regard to a statement I made during the Debate yesterday on the motor car tax. I made a statement that the hon. Member for Aylesbury (Sir S. Reed) had expressed a desire that the effect of this tax would be to drive small cars off the roads. The Chancellor of the Exchequer pointed out to me that it was quite the reverse. I said that if I found I was wrong I would apologise. I have read the OFFICIAL REPORT this afternoon and have tried to get in touch with the hon. Member, who is not in his place at the moment. I will send him a personal note later. What the hon. Member said yesterday was:
I welcome the effect of the proposals on social life, because they may drive off the roads the high horse-power cars, the 40 horsepower 'suffer little children,' and the road hogs which cause so many accidents."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 2nd May, 1939; col. 1826, Vol. 346.]
§ I find that I was completely wrong in the statement I made. I misunderstood the hon. Member, and I ought not to have made the statement I did. I express my regret to him and apologise for having made the statement. Instead of condemning him, I ought to have congratulated him, because he showed a solicitude for human life by desiring to have the larger road hogs driven off the roads. I apologise unreservedly to him and to the House, and to you, Mr. Speaker, for having made the mistake.