HC Deb 18 September 1940 vol 365 c145
11. Mr. Rhys Davies

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that two children were burnt to death recently on the main road in Platt Bridge, Wigan, through a barrel of inflammable liquid falling off a lorry and bursting into flames; and will he take steps to see that lorry owners shall be compelled in future to exercise greater care in loading their vehicles?

The Minister of Transport (Sir John Reith)

Statutory regulations require loads on motor vehicles to be properly secured; the enforcement of the regulations is a matter for the police I understand that in this case proceedings were taken against the driver for driving his lorry with an insecure load, but the Court dismissed the charge.