§ 66. Commander Locker-Lampsonasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a pedal cyclist, on 19th October last, rode away after fatally injuring a pedestrian, and was convicted at Hatfield Petty Sessions on 11th January, after being charged only with riding a pedal cycle so as to endanger life or limb; and whether he can now say why he was not charged with manslaughter, as a motorist would have been?
§ Mr. LloydIt is not, of course, within the province of my right hon. Friend to decide whether, and, if so what, proceedings should be instituted in a particular case. He has, however, caused inquiries to be made and is informed by the Chief Constable of Hertfordshire that the reason for not instituting proceedings for man- 846 slaughter was that there was no sufficient evidence on which to base such a charge.
§ Commander Locker-LampsonIs the hon. Gentleman aware that I have no wish to do any retrospective harm to the pedal cyclist, but only prospective good to motorists?