HC Deb 07 December 1933 vol 283 cc1828-9
50. Mr. MANDER

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the advisability, with a view to the prevention of accidents, of proposing legislation making it impossible for the driver of a motor car to insure himself against the consequences of any accident amounting to less than £10?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

My hon. Friend has already given careful con- sideration to a somewhat similar proposal, and has reached the conclusion that an uninsurable risk up to a sum of £10, as suggested by the hon. Member, would be equivalent in many cases to depriving the injured person of the compensation due to him. I do not think therefore that amending legislation on these lines is desirable.

Mr. MANDER

Does the hon. Gentleman not think that drivers would be much more careful if they knew that they would have to find these sums of money out of their own pockets?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

I think that it might be very difficult for many drivers to find these sums.

Lieut.-Commander AGNEW

Would it not cause great hardship to the small motor-car owner if be could not receive this money back?

Mr. CAPORN

Does this not appear to exclude the third party question, as this -.C10 is only in respect of risk to the driver?