§ COLONEL V. MILWARD (Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the case of the late Mrs. Gilkes, who was knocked down by a bicyclist in the parish of Long Compton, Warwickshire, upon the 13th September last, and after lying unconscious for five days, died; (2) whether he is aware that the bicyclist gave a wrong name and address to avoid identification, and remained unknown until identified by the Oxford-shire detectives upon the 9th December; and (3) whether he will consider the advisability of devising means to prevent similar evasions of justice?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolThe answer to the first two paragraphs of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. I may add that the offender remained at the scene of the accident for some time to render assistance, and that he was afterwards arrested through the ordinary police agencies, and in consequence, I am told, of a confession made by himself. He was indicted for manslaughter, but as he had already paid £50 as compensation to the husband the prosecution was allowed by the Court to be withdrawn. Whether any means can be devised to facilitate the identification of offending bicyclists is a question of considerable difficulty which has been under consideration already. I shall be glad if any practical scheme can be suggested.
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention had been called to the fact that one of the hon. Members for Essex was run down last week by a bicyclist whose name and address he could not get.
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYsaid, they were all aware of the unfortunate accident which befel a colleague of the hon. and gallant Member for Essex, and if any means could be devised for securing that the persons who caused such accidents could be identified and brought to account it would be most satisfactory.
§ MR. JOHN BURNS (Battersea)asked, whether the right hon. Gentleman would consider the advisability of appointing 802 on roads on which cyclists frequently rode a number of young policemen [a laugh], as the local authority in London had done with distinct advantage both to the police and passengers.
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYsaid, he would be glad to receive any practical suggestions from the hon. Member.
§ MR. JASPER TULLY (Leitrim, S.)inquired whether the right hon. Gentleman would see that the rules of the road as to foot passengers were observed.
§ MR. WALTER HAZELL (Leicester)asked if the Home Secretary was aware that in Italy cyclists were licensed, and that the owner of the cycle was obliged to carry a number.
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYwas not aware cyclists in Italy were under any special jurisdiction. He would be prepared, with others more responsible than himself, to consider whether any means could be provided for securing the safety of passengers.