§ 30. Mr. Jannerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that the powers possessed by courts at the present time in connection with cases of road accidents involving personal injury, to call for medical reports as to whether any physical or optical defects of the parties concerned may have been a contributory cause of the accident, are inadequate; and if he will introduce legislation to increase these powers.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeWhere criminal proceedings are taken following a road accident, it is open to either the prosecution or the defence to call any relevant medical evidence, and I am not aware that the courts require any special powers in addition to those which they already possess to obtain a report on the physical and mental condition of the defendant after conviction to assist them in determining the appropriate penalty.
§ Mr. JannerWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman go further into this matter, especially in view of the fact that he must know that a large number of accidents are caused because of these deficiencies on the part of the drivers?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeYes, but it is not the function of the courts to inquire into the causes of accidents. As I pointed out, it is open to either the prosecution or the defence to call any witnesses to support allegations such as that mentioned by the hon. Member.