§ 33. Mr. THORNEasked the Minister of Transport whether he has received a report from his inspector in connection with a lorry driver, who was fined by the Croydon magistrates for exceeding the speed limit; and, seeing that the defendant was compelled by the firm in question to work long hours and exceed the legal limit, since if he refused he would be dismissed, what steps it is proposed to take?
Mr. STANLEYI have no inspectors engaged on these duties and am unable to identify this particular case. The enforcement of the law relating to speed limits and hours of driving is primarily the duty of the police but when the 305 licensing system established by the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, has come into full operation, the licensing authorities under that Act will be able to take matters of this kind into consideration as failure to comply with the law in these respects will constitute a breach of the conditions of licences. Meanwhile, if the hon. Member cares to supply me with details of the case, I will have inquiries made.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, in all these cases where drivers are called upon to work long hours, the firms are anti-trade union firms?