HC Deb 06 February 1934 vol 285 cc976-7
70. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the prosecutions taken in the last year for which statistics are available against the drivers of motor vehicles for excessive speed were proceedings against the drivers of commercial motor vehicles?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)

The latest figures available are those for 1932. During that year out of a total of 32,953 prosecutions for exceeding a speed limit, 26,145 were in respect of goods vehicles. It is possible that this figure may include a few cases where a person other than the driver was prosecuted, but I cannot give the number of such cases separately.

71. Mr. PARKINSON

asked the Home Secretary whether, when proceedings are being taken against the driver of a commercial motor vehicle, it is the custom of the police to ascertain if the driver is being compelled by the nature of his employment to commit a breach of the law to avoid dismissal?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have no reason to doubt that the police would make inquiry on this point in any case where it appears that the employer may be responsible for the commission of the offence.