§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, on several occasions recently, gentlemen of position have grossly insulted the Metropolitan Police when their chauffeurs have been stopped for the offence of driving motor cars at an excessive speed; and whether he will issue instructions to the Metropolitan Police that when a chauffeur is charged with such an offence, committed when his master was on the car, they shall carefully consider whether the circumstances were such as would just [...] proceeding also against the master for aiding and abetting or counselling and procuring the offence.
§ *MR. GLADSTONEMy attention had not previously been drawn to this matter, except by observing some newspaper reports. I understand from the Commissioner that, in cases of the nature indicated in the hon. Member's Question, the police would be prepared to proceed against the owner for abetting, should the circumstances justify such a course.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLHave the Metropolitan Police in any single instance prosecuted the owner as well as the driver?
§ *MR. GLADSTONEI cannot answer that Question without notice.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLWill the right hon. Gentleman give the police instructions as suggested?
§ *MR. GLADSTONEThe police are at perfect liberty to take action if they think it advisable to do so.