§ 35. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that an omnibus which is licensed to carry 26 passengers and which at any time carries 27 becomes uninsured and that the passengers are automatically not covered, he will take steps to alter this position, and for the benefit of the passengers who may become involved in an accident, to enable them to remain insured?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONIf the owner of an omnibus, which is insured whilst carrying not more than 26 passengers, allows the vehicle to be used to carry a greater number of passengers, the vehicle is thereby uninsured and the owner commits an offence under Section 35 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, whereby he renders himself liable to substantial penalties. I understand that it is possible to obtain insurance policies which cover the carriage of additional passengers and it is incumbent upon the owner of an omnibus to take steps to see that his insurance policy covers all passengers who may be carried on the vehicle for hire or reward.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Act at present is visiting the sins of the omnibus drivers upon the unfortunate ordinary public who have no redress?
§ Mr. MORRISONThe responsibility is with the omnibus owners to see that they are properly covered by insurance.
§ Sir W. BRASSDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it fair that if one extra person is carried the whole of the people on these omnibuses should not be insured?
§ Mr. MORRISONThe operator must always see that the passengers whom he carries or may carry are covered. II he does not do that, I am not sure that he is fit to be running a public service vehicle.