§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to the shifting of motor-bicycle numbers that the riders might escape in case of an accident, and to the evidence in the case of "The King v. Flood," tried by Sir Frederick Falkiner. K.C., the Recorder of Dublin, on 9th July, in which a boy was seriously injured by a motor-bicycle on which there was a fraudulent number; and whether he will, in accordance with the recommendation of the jury in that case, in which the Recorder concurred, initiate legislation to remedy defects in the law regulating the numbering and registration of motors, and to provide that the numbers be incised in or enamelled on the metal portion of the motor.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM, Dover)At my right hon. friend's request, I will reply to this Question. There would be much practical difficulty in giving effect to the suggestion made by the Recorder. The numbers if marked as proposed would not be visible when the motor bicycle was in motion. They would, therefore, have to be in addition to the plate now required to be carried, and if the ownership of the bicycle changed the latter 273 might be altered and would not correspond with the incised or enamelled figures. The penalty for conviction of the offence of using a false number is very heavy and I have no doubt acts as a deterrent.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the practice is growing in Dublin and that several persons have been injured lately.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI quite agree that every effort should be made to render these persons amenable to justice, and the suggestion has been referred to the Local Government Board. There are other checks.