HC Deb 28 July 1975 vol 896 cc1290-1
23. Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will conduct an investigation into the practices of motor vehicle insurers in their treatment of persons convicted under Sections 5 and 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1972.

Mr. Clinton Davis

No, Sir. These are matters for the underwriters.

Mr. Freud

Is the Minister aware that people convicted under Sections 5 or 6 are now being asked to pay premiums of 200 per cent. and 300 per cent. over the normal premium? Is he also aware that the Act was never really intended to punish people more than the ordinary criminal? A man convicted under Sections 5 or 6 is now not only disqualified from driving but cannot get insurance when he regains his licence after the stipulated time. Is the Minister further aware that this tends to drive people who want insurance to get inadequate cover from fairly unscrupulous companies?

Mr. Davis

I think that a commercial rather than a moral judgment has to be made. Unquestionably insurers regard convictions of this nature as serious and as evidence of a high risk. Therefore, it is right that, in their judgment, they should charge more where such convictions have been established. If a driver is dissatisfied with the premium charged, he is at liberty to seek other quotations, but I do not accept all the assumptions made by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Speaker

In view of my desire to preserve the sanctity of Question Time, I forbore from doing so earlier but I now take cognisance of the compliment paid to me by the hon. Member for Fife, Central (Mr. Hamilton). There comes a time in one's life when one does not wish to be reminded of one's age. However, I accept the compliment in the spirit in which it was made, even though the spirit was perhaps one designed to turn away wrath.