23. Mr. WESTasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the case where an Oxford undergraduate who recently ran down and killed a miner riding on a bicycle has been acquitted of a charge of manslaughter and of two other charges of negligence and dangerous driving, although the undergraduate admitted that he had been driving at 50 or 55 miles per hour; and, in view of this case and of others to which attention has been directed and other similar cases, 1928 will he take steps to strengthen the law so that in cases of this description a severe penalty shall be imposed?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWhatever may be the facts in this case, Magistrates have been endowed by Parliament with powers to protect the public, but it is difficult to see how any further increase of these powers would be of effect in cases where Magistrates decide not to convict.
Mr. WESTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the justification in this case for not sending the man to prison was that it might ruin his career; and does he realise that these very light penalties which are inflicted are not tending to decrease the slaughter on our roads at the present time?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe question relates to an acquittal, and it is not proper, I think, that I should comment upon it.
§ Mr. SPEAKERWe cannot go into details.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling abroad that if a miner had killed an undergraduate, it would have been quite a different matter?