HC Deb 21 February 1968 vol 759 cc417-8
9. Mr. Buchanan-Smith

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on the outcome of her discussions with the Motor Insurers Bureau regarding compensation for victims of hi t-and-run road accidents.

Mr. John Morris

We have now substantially agreed with the Bureau a procedure which will allow for appeals on their decisions in cases involving unidentified drivers. Under this procedure the Bureau will examine such cases as at present but if the victim of an accident is dissatisfied with their decision he will have a right of appeal to an arbitrator from a panel of Queens' counsel. The Bureau will normally pay the arbitrator's fees and will be bound by his decision. We are grateful to the Bureau for their help in developing this procedure which is now being embodied in a formal agreement which we hope to make available to the House, and bring into effect, very shortly.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

Will the hon. Gentleman recognise that his announcement today will be greatly welcomed by all those who have had the misfortune to have to deal with these kinds of claim in the past? Can he say when this procedure will be announced and put into effect? It will be of great interest also to know what the procedure is for appeals.

Mr. Morris

I am grateful to the hon. Member for his kind remarks. There are some small points still to be settled. We have reached substantial agreement, and we hope to bring the agreement be-for the House very shortly.

Mr. Weitzman

Having raised this matter on a number of occasions with the Tory Government when they were in power, and having received no satisfaction whatever, may I express my sincere thanks to my hon. Friend for the statement which he has made, and ask whether he is satisfied that the arrangements made will deal with the particularly hard cases which arise?

Mr. Morris

I am sure that the House will also want to pay tribute to my hon. and learned Friend, who has pressed this consistently over a very long period of time, and from time to time has been asking me to report progress to him. We are also grateful to the Motor Insurers' Bureau. I think the arrangements it has set out and which will be set out in some detail will meet the very real needs of the situation.

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