HC Deb 30 March 1965 vol 709 cc1392-4
Q8. Mr. George Craddock

asked the Prime Minister if he will advise the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the problem of compensating victims injured in road accidents, and to consider a comprehensive insurance scheme embracing everyone.

The Prime Minister

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East (Mr. Mapp) on 11th March.

Mr. Craddock

In view of the fact that it is increasingly difficult to prove negligence in accidents on the road, I hope that something will be done without delay.

The Prime Minister

My hon. and learned Friend said on that occasion that this matter was being carefully examined, but it is bristling with legal problems. There was a further question by the right hon. and learned Member for Warwick and Leamington (Sir J. Hobson) to the Attorney-General, who said that the legal aspects of the points raised by the right hon. and learned Gentleman were being examined.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Does the Prime Minister realise that, in this modern age, motor cars have become lethal instruments inflicting great damage on many innocent persons who are not able to prove damage, whereby great harm is done, and that such persons should be insured against the damage which they cannot prove?

The Prime Minister

This is a fact which we all recognise on both sides of the House, but it is not easy to put right by the kind of suggestion which has been put forward by my hon. and learned Friend.

Mr. Mapp

Will the Prime Minister bear in mind that, in the Answer to me some weeks ago to which reference has been made, the inference was that the National Health pensions scheme might be extended to include this problem? Will he bear in mind that this problem is related to the road and the accidents on it, and that the country is looking forward to specific arrangements covering that problem and not related to the national scheme of insurance?

The Prime Minister

This whole question is being looked at, but I should not like to give any indication that we are likely to be able to solve these problems as quickly as my hon. Friends would like.

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