§ 2. "That all fines imposed in respect of offences under the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, or the Regulations made thereunder, shall be paid into the Exchequer, and any sums so paid into the Exchequer shall be charged on and issued out of the Consolidated Fund as if they had been paid into the Exchequer under the Roads Act, 1920."
§ First Resolution agreed to.
§ Second Resolution read a Second time.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYMay we have a word of explanation from the Financial Secretary about this Resolution in order to make it clear what is the amount of money involved and whether there is any change in the procedure which has hitherto been followed?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)I can explain this matter in a couple of sentences, and that the hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that I cannot say what amount of money is involved. The hon. and gallant Gentleman will no doubt know that all fines under the Road Acts and Motor Car Acts are passed on to the Exchequer under rules made by the Home Office and that when they reach the Exchequer they all have to be paid over to the Road Fund. Under the Lighting Act of last year, it was laid down that by an Order-in-Council the fines should be paid into the Road Fund. Since that Act was passed, it has been pointed out that it would cause extra 250 trouble to Justices' Clerks if they had to keep two accounts and also that it would mean an extra expense to the public if two accounts were kept in respect of the same fund. Therefore, by this Resolution we simply seek to do away with the procedure instituted by the Lighting Act of last year and to follow the old and well tried system of paying money into the Road Fund under the older machinery. That is all that happens. It is purely a matter of machinery. All the money will go into the Road Fund, and the procedure will be in the interests of economy and will entail less trouble to Justices' Clerks.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYThe right hon. and gallant Gentleman has not answered my question about the amount of money. I know that he cannot prophesy the amount of money that people are going to have to pay in fines for not putting on tail lights, but, if he can tell me the amount that was paid last year, I shall be satisfied.
§ Colonel ASHLEYI cannot say how much money was paid in fines for not having lights on motor cars. In any case, the amount was quite small.
§ Question put, and agreed to.