§ 53. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Transport the number of people killed and injured in road accidents in 1936, and the number to whom no compensation was paid?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaDuring the 52 weeks ended 26th December, 1936, 6,489 persons died and 225,689 were injured as a result of road accidents. I have no means of knowing in how many cases compensation was or was not paid.
§ Mr. WatkinsCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea from data in his Department, whether it is not true that in 402 whelming support given to other nominations; and whether, in view of the considerable trouble taken by local authorities in these matters, he will give more consideration to their wishes?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 4th February to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Tamworth (Sir J. Mellor).
§ 51. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Transport the names of the chairmen of traffic commissioners for each area, the salaries received per annum, and the pension to which they will become entitled on retirement if the proposed Bill becomes law?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaI will circulate this information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the information:
§ the case of a very large proportion of the men and women killed and injured on our roads, they or their dependants receive no compensation?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThese are matters which are determined either by agreement or in the courts, and I have nothing to support that statement, although I have no reason to doubt that it is perfectly true.
§ Mr. WatkinsIf it is true that this is the case, is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to amend the law in order that, in the case of everyone who is killed or injured on the roads, there shall be some form of compensation?
§ Mr. Hore-BelishaThat involves the question of contributory negligence.