§ MR. BOWERMAN (Deptford)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to the case of motorman R. K. Hannah, attached to the Clapham depot, who on the 12th July last was summoned for exceeding the speed limit in Kennington Park Road, and for the offence was, on the 31st July, fined 5s. and 2s. costs at the Lambeth Police Court; whether he is aware that upon applying at Scotland Yard on the 25th August for a renewal of his licence (which expired on the following day), he was told by the authorities to continue at work on the just expiring licence until the 29th August, and then to apply again; that upon so doing he was advised by the authorities that he had better take a holiday, and they would let him know when his licence was ready; and that, upon attending at Scotland Yard on the 3rd September, he was informed that if summoned again his licence would not be further renewed; and whether, as the withholding of the driver's licence for a period of six days involved a loss in wages of £1 17s. 6d., he will be prepared to give the matter due consideration, with a view to insuring that in future men summoned for similar offences may not be penalised twice over.
§ (Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) I am informed that any delay in this case was Hannah's own fault. As his licence was about to expire a requisition was sent to him on 9th August, to be returned within seven days for inquiries to be made. He kept it, however, till the 21st August, only allowing five days for the inquiries. Although the police called several times the references could not be seen, one being away on a holiday. Hannah attended New Scotland Yard on 25th August, and was allowed to retain 336 his badge, etc., for the full three days grace. The inquiry was completed on 31st August, and he was told to call for his licence on 1st September, but did not do so till the 3rd. There was no question of penalising him for any offence, this having been dealt with by the issue of a caution.