§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLTo ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that the fines inflicted for the furious driving of motor-cars are, having regard to the fact that the owners of these cars are necessarily in easy circumstances, so small as to be ineffective as deterrents to the commission of such offences; and whether he proposes to initiate any legislation to secure adequate punishment for these offenders.
(Answered by Mr. A. J. Balfour.) I am advised that in the opinion of the Department concerned there is no reason to think that the fines are inadequate. The Act enables substantial fines to be exacted, viz.: £20 for the first offence, £50 for the second or imprisonment not exceeding three months. In addition to this the driver's licence may be suspended, the holder being thus disqualified from driving a motor-car for such period as the Court thinks fit. The Act further provides that nothing in it shall affect any liability of the driver or owner of a motor-car by virtue of any statute or at common law. The motorist is thus liable to all civil and criminal consequences of his acts.