§ MR. H. D. GREENE (Shrewsbury)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the case of a motor-car driver convicted at the Hertford Assizes of manslaughter, the car bore a number plate in conformity with the rules of the Local Government Board; whether any judicial investigation has taken place, or will take place, as to the circumstances under which such non-compliance, if any, arose and the responsibility therefor; and whether the police are or will be instructed to enforce strict observance everywhere of rules intended to secure, if possible, the identification of motor vehicles, and take proceedings for any breaches of the law known to them.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) On inquiry of the chief constable of Herefordshire I learn that the number plates of the car in question were of a gray colour, calculated to make them difficult to read, instead of being back as required by the regulations. These plates were, I understand, produced in Court, and are now in the hands of the police. The Act makes the driver the person responsible for the use of such plates and the only reason why it was considered inadvisable to take proceedings against the driver for this breach o the regulations was because of the more serious charge of manslaughter, of which he has now been convicted. I have no reason to doubt that the police are using every effort to secure compliance with the regulations, and I do not think it is necessary for me to issue, or to recommend the issue of, any fresh instructions on the subject.