§ 24. Mr. PIKE (for Mr. HEPWORTH)asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the increase of cases of injury sustained by third parties owing to the reckless driving of stolen cars whereby no insurance or compensation is obtainable, 938 he will consider the introduction of legislation to enable such victims to institute legal proceedings against those causing the injury with the object of securing their imprisonment until compensation is paid, over and above any penalty in respect of other charges?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of TRANSPORT (Lieut.-Colonel Headlam)Apart from the ordinary penalties of the law and the special penalties which may be imposed under Section 28 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, for taking and driving a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, it is at present open to persons injured as a result of reckless driving of a stolen car to bring an action for damages against the driver of the car. While in certain circumstances the court has power to commit to prison for non-payment of a judgment debt, it would be contrary to the principles generally accepted at the present day to reintroduce imprisonment for indefinite periods pending payment of the debt.
§ Lord APSLEYWill my hon. and gallant Friend give the police instructions to warn people driving stolen motor cars to drive them more carefully?