HC Deb 06 April 1908 vol 187 cc902-3
MR. LONSDALE

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of claims for compensation for malicious injury to property adjudicated upon in Ireland during the years 1906 and 1907, respectively, and the three months ended 31st March, 1908; the total amount of compensation awarded and particulars of the injuries for which compensation was given; and whether, in respect of those cases, any persons were made amenable under the criminal law.

(Answered by Mr. Cherry.)—

in Ireland for accidents occurring to them through defects in the highway, and that if county councils insure against third-party risks the Local Government Board auditor surcharges the councillors authorising payment of the amount paid as premiums on such insurance; and will he inquire into this matter, the authority for such surcharge, and take such steps as may be necessary to enable county councils in Ireland to obtain the benefit of the protection of third-party insurances.

(Answered by Mr. Cherry.) The Answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The Local Government Board have already advised the county councils of counties in which the contract system of road maintenance is in operation to insert a clause in the contractor's bond making him and his sureties responsible for any accident that may occur owing to the defective condition of the roads during the continuance of his contract. Where this is done the question of insuring against third-party risks would appear to be one for the contractor. In counties in which the roads are kept by direct labour the county councils are directly responsible, and it rests with them to consider whether they should protect themselves by insurance. The Local Government Board understand that the county councils are considering the matter, but the premiums to be paid in a large county would be so heavy that some of the councils seem more inclined to take the risk themselves than to pay the annual premiums. No surcharge of the nature referred to in the Question has yet been made.