§ 14. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Regulations exist which render medical doctors liable to prosecution if they leave a motor-car unattended in the street; and whether he proposes to issue a Regulation exempting them when these circumstances arise in the course of their professional duties?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSMedical practitioners are not exempt from the ordinary law as to driving offences, and I understand that the Minister of Transport does not think it practicable to make exceptions to the existing law or Regulations in favour of any particular class of persons. The police, of course, exercise discretion in regard to prosecuting for obstruction when it is caused by a doctor's attendance on a patient.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that practitioners who are visiting sick patients have been summoned, and that it is only owing to the good sense of the magistrate—even after the constable had explained the case—that they were saved from a conviction? Will the right hon. Gentleman not make some Regulation which will enable a medical practitioner to have the particular privilege when visiting sick people of leaving his car unattended?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI do not think it is desirable to make such a regulation. I have said that the police act with discretion. Quite conceivably it might happen that someone was ill in Bond Street and a medical practitioner might block the whole place for a couple of hours.
§ Mr. MACLEANIt would be a very big car then!