§ 11.8 a.m.
§ LORD MILNER OF LEEDSMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government if they will give details of the prosecutions and convictions for failure to hold a valid third party car insurance during the year 1955, or any other convenient yearly period.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TEE HOME DEPARTMENT (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, the latest figures available are those for 1954, which are contained in a document entitled Offences Relating to Motor Vehicles, a copy of which I am sending to the noble Lord. Briefly, the document shows that in 1954, 19,385 persons were prosecuted, and 18,011 were convicted, for failing to insure against third party risks.
§ LORD MILNER OF LEEDSMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, does it not indicate clearly that there is considerable evasion, and should not some steps, such as those indicated in an Amendment moved on the Road Traffic Bill, be taken to prevent it?
§ LORD MANCROFTMy Lords, the figures are big indeed. As the noble Lord knows, we have given an undertaking to look into this matter most carefully before the Report stage of the Bill to which he has referred.
§ LORD LUCAS OF CHILWORTHMy Lords, if the noble Lord has the information available, could he say what happened to the victims, or their dependants, of the 18,000-odd offenders who were convicted of having no third party insurance?