§ 25. Mr. DAYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of people killed or injured to date by motor cars driven by any police officials while on duty or in uniform, and the amount of compensation paid or grants made to the next-of-kin of the person so flied and/or to the injured person?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Simon)During the past 10 years 16 persons have been killed as a result of accidents in which the car or one of the cars involved was a Metropolitan Police vehicle. Compensation amounting to £2,731 was paid in seven of these cases. As regards the others, in eight cases no question of police liability arose, though in three of them small compassionate payments were made, amounting to £70; the remaining case is still under negotiation. The number of persons injured in similar accidents during 1935 was 110. Compensation amounting to £1,807 has been paid in respect of 41 claims; 12 are still under negotiation, and in the remaining 57 cases no question of police liability arose or no claim was made. Corresponding information for provincial police forces is not available.
§ Sir J. SIMONI explained on a previous occasion that in cases where there is negligence on the part of the driver there is nothing to prevent legal proceedings being taken.
§ Sir J. SIMONIf he has the right of action he has no reason to appeal to anybody. If there is a dispute it will be sent to the judge; if there is no dispute it will be paid.