HC Deb 29 November 1933 vol 283 cc876-7
54. Mrs. COPELAND

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that in a number of cases where serious or fatal bodily injury has been sustained in motor-car accidents it has proved impossible to recover damages, even when judgment has been obtained in the courts, as the insurance companies involved have repudiated liability on various grounds, such as mis-statements in proposal forms, withholding material information, etc.; and if he will introduce legislation to remedy this state of affairs and ensure that the courts have jurisdiction in all these cases of disputed liability?

Mr. STANLEY

I am aware that in some cases injured persons are unable to recover damages owing to the repudiation of liability by insurance companies. An insurance policy is a contract of indemnity between the insurance company and the insured, and misrepresentation or the withholding of material information when a proposal for insurance is made is liable to render a policy so obtained void. The question of further legislation on this and on other points connected with the insurance against third party risks required of owners of motor vehicles is receiving my consideration, but the problem presents many difficulties.

Mrs. COPELAND

Is the hon. Member aware that about six months ago an unemployed man standing on the edge of the curb was knocked through a glass window and disabled for life, and that nothing has been done in his case because the motor car was being driven by a friend of the owner? What can we do?

57. Sir GIFFORD FOX

asked the Minister of Transport whether in the returns of motor accidents he intends to obtain, he will make it obligatory to include information as to whether the accident could have been avoided if the side and tail lights had been at a recognised uniform height and position?

Mr. STANLEY

When the scope of the special investigation into the causes of fatal accidents was being settled last year in consultation with a large number of organisations interested, it was not thought necessary to include the points to which my hon. Friend refers.